Charles Leclerc says Ferrari has to understand its variation in performance levels after “struggling massively” with the SF1000 at the Tuscan Grand Prix.
Leclerc started fifth but rose to third at the start – behind only the two Mercedes drivers – providing hope of a strong race result.
But Leclerc tumbled through the order and was left towards the rear of the field after coming in for Hard tyres earlier than his opponents.
Leclerc ultimately classified in ninth position though was promoted to eighth due to a time penalty for Alfa Romeo’s Kimi Raikkonen.
It marked Leclerc’s first points in four rounds.
“We were just slow,” said Leclerc. “We didn’t have the pace. I put myself in the best position possible at the start, the two Mercedes were going away so I had free air, but I was just struggling so much with the car.
“We need to work and try to understand [the situation] because some races were are not very competitive in qualifying but are then are very competitive in the race which has been the case at the beginning of the season.
“Now we seem to have done a good job in qualifying but are struggling massively with the car in the race, [so] it is a difficult moment.”
Ferrari team-mate Sebastian Vettel finished at the foot of the top 10.
Ferrari maintained sixth in the Constructors’ Championship.
