Round four of the 2021 Formula One Championship season has come to a close, with the fan-favourite Circuit de Monaco up next in two weeks’ time.
It was another electric battle at the front of the grid in Barcelona, with Max Verstappen leading for the majority of Sunday’s race – only to be overtaken by Lewis Hamilton on Lap 60/66.
The British World Champion’s bold yet impeccable race strategy ensured the win, with Hamilton now sitting 14 points ahead at the top of the Drivers’ Standings.
Ross Brawn pointed out after the race, that although the action was at the top of the field in Spain, there were some undeniably great drives further down the pecking order at Sunday’s Grand Prix.
Most notable was that of the Ferrari duo of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz who, according to Brawn, are not far off “knocking at the door of the top two”.
The Formula One Managing Director highlighted their strides of improvement this season and the fact that Charles Leclerc manages to make the most of the SF-21 at every race – with a setup that seems very quick at a number of circuits already.
Speaking about the prancing horses’ potential as the season thrives on, Ross Brawn wrote:
“With everything that is going on at the sharp end, it’s easy to overlook some of the other very good drives that were going on. Charles Leclerc delivered one of those.
“There’s no doubt that car is significantly better than last year, and Leclerc is getting every bit of pace out of it – and then some more – each time he gets in the car”, he continued.
“It’s not going to take a lot more for Ferrari to be knocking at the door of the top two. And that’s quite remarkable given where they ended 2020.
“The team is operating on a very high level – and they have a package that has proved it is quick at a variety of different circuits.
“On track, the car looks good – you don’t get the feeling it doesn’t deserve to be where it is.”
Speaking about the vital relationship between the two drivers, he said; “There’s also a great dynamic between Charles and Carlos right now and I don’t think you can underestimate the advantages of that.
“The cooperation and the positiveness from their two drivers is helping drive them forward.
“And there’s no doubt that when the pair get the right car, both of them will take wins for Ferrari.”
Racing resumes on May 23 for the Monaco Grand Prix.
