ANALYSIS: Leclerc Shines with Impressive Offbeat Strategy

Ah, the thrill of Formula 1 races! They always find a way to keep us on the edge of our seats—or maybe it’s just me getting jittery after my third coffee. So, where were we? Ah yes, Saudi Arabia. A place where Ferraris find podiums like I find socks with holes in them—rare, but always a cause for celebration. Charles Leclerc was the star for the Italian team this time around, grabbing that sweet 44th podium finish with a strategy that was daring but, you know, not too over-the-top like a reality TV proposal.

And Max Verstappen, that guy who likes pole positions the way I like my Saturday mornings: absolutely perfect. He did this whole ‘Hey look, I’m at the top’ dance after qualifying, which, let’s admit, he’s pretty accustomed to by now. But come race time, Oscar Piastri was like, “Not so fast, Max!” And they were off, like two kids racing down the grocery aisle. Verstappen had this little adventure outside the track limits, which, let’s face it, is pretty much a racing no-no. So, he got smacked with a five-second penalty. Just like me when I sneak a snack before dinner—caught and penalized.

The race itself didn’t really throw any curveballs strategy-wise. Pirelli decided to go one step softer with the tires, hoping to shake things up. But nah, it was like trying to get me to put down my phone after midnight—just not happening. One-stop strategies ruled the day. The Hard tires were so robust that Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto nearly did the entire race on them. I’m not sure if that says more about the tires or his patience, but impressive nonetheless.

Things got spicy on lap one—Yuki Tsunoda and Pierre Gasly ended up making friends with the barriers, and in came the safety car. Boom! A chance for some drivers to play the strategy game. Jack Doohan, Esteban Ocon, and Bortoleto went for early Hard tire switches, showing us their poker faces.

And then, of course, there was Mario Isola of Pirelli—commenting, as one does, on how the race unfolded. He was pretty chuffed; said things went as expected in terms of tire performance and strategy. Blistering was kept to a minimum, although some overheating did occur. I guess those tires got as hot under the collar as I do when someone tells me pineapple on pizza is unacceptable.

So now it’s off to the US, with Miami on the horizon. Looking forward to seeing how our tire-loving friends cope there. It’s going to be the second Sprint weekend of the year, which should be interesting. ‘Cause, you know, in Miami, things never go as planned. Just like any party I throw.

That’s the scoop—or my version of it. Feel free to take it with a pinch of salt or a grain of sugar, depending on your taste. Here’s to more racing, and maybe another coffee. Cheers!