David Croft says one team’s car had a ‘mind of its own’ during Bahrain GP

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The Ferrari of Charles Leclerc looked difficult to control during Sunday’s Bahrain Grand Prix, Sky Sports F1 commentator David Croft says.

Leclerc started alongside Max Verstappen on the front row at Sakhir but lost two spots during the race and wound up finishing in fourth place.

Mercedes driver George Russell, who had started in third place, passed Leclerc at turn four on lap three, and then Red Bull’s Sergio Perez followed him through four laps later after the Monegasque ace locked up into turn nine.

To make matters worse, Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz dived up the inside at turn one and bullied his way past as Leclerc encountered yet more issues on the brakes.

Sainz would pass Russell to secure the final podium spot, and while Leclerc was able to force an error from the Englishman to snatch fourth, he lost early ground in the intra-team battle at Maranello.

The 26-year-old appeared to struggle when applying the anchors throughout the race, telling his team over the radio at one point that he was experiencing front-locking ‘everywhere’.

Croft laments Leclerc’s Ferrari brake struggle during Bahrain GP

During Sky Sports F1’s coverage of the race, commentator David Croft noted that the Ferrari was refusing to cooperate with Leclerc in the braking zones.

At one stage, the five-time Grand Prix winner almost hit the back of the Sauber of Valtteri Bottas after running deep into turn 10.

Speaking on lap 19 out of 57, Croft said: “It’s a Prancing Horse with a mind of its own when it comes to braking.”

Sainz and Leclerc experienced contrasting fortunes in Sakhir

There will be very different emotions on either side of the garage as Ferrari pack up and head to the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix next week.

Sainz, who has been dropped by the Scuderia for 2025 ahead of the arrival of Lewis Hamilton, made an early statement with his driver-of-the-day winning performance.

Sky Sports F1’s Martin Brundle applauded the aggression of the Spaniard during the race, hailing his ‘lovely’ move on Russell into the first corner.

After encountering a few gremlins over the course of the 57 laps, Leclerc will hope to have a far smoother time of things in Jeddah, with Ferrari no doubt determined to get on top of their issues.