Ferrari has a special theory: "Leclerc's crash confirms our updates are working"

Ferrari manages to put a positive spin on Charles Leclerc's crash during the qualifications for the Miami Grand Prix. According to driver coach Jock Clear, the accident was a result of the updates that the Scuderia brought with them last weekend - and it's a confirmation they are working.

Clear explained to RaceFans that the updates were intended to improve stability of the SF-23 at high and medium speeds and that is why they were brought to Miami. "This was a track where that would be revealed. And we saw that on Saturday," the Englishman points out, referring to Leclerc's crash in turn seven. The updates worked as expected and the drivers were also more comfortable, according to Clear.

Verstappen almost makes same mistake as Leclerc

This has given the Ferrari engineer something to think about. "Perhaps what we saw from Charles on Saturday was confirmation the updates are working. He really went for it in the high-speed corners and what you saw was what you saw." Clear also points out a mistake that Max Verstappen made earlier in the session, also in turn seven. There was no major crash, but the Dutchman had to abandon his lap.

"Max had the same problem during his first attempt in Q3," Clear explains. "Maybe not as dramatic, but he had to abandon his lap after wobbling on that kerb. That's what happens with ground effect cars when they hit the surface - you lose all the downforce. That's what we saw happen with Charles in turn six. Then the car becomes very difficult to control. So, ironically, this was confirmation of what we wanted to achieve by improving the car. Charles went for it - just a little too much."