Charles Leclerc believes it is “too early to really feel optimistic” a couple of robust consequence at Formulation 1’s Monaco Grand Prix, regardless of the Ferrari driver topping each Friday follow classes.
The Monegasque endured an early fright in FP1 when he clipped Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin on the Grand Resort Hairpin, because the Canadian didn’t see the Ferrari and slowly moved again onto the racing line having let site visitors already cross.
However Leclerc quickly obtained into his stride, and set the one FP1 laptime inside the 1m11s – his 1m11.964s slightly below 0.2s sooner than Max Verstappen.
He continued to seek out extra time in FP2, setting a collection of fast laps on gentle tyres to finally file a 1m11.355s; Oscar Piastri obtained near that headliner, however in the end fell brief by 0.038s.
Leclerc, who had performed down his possibilities earlier than the weekend, was requested if he was nonetheless satisfied Ferrari would battle on the Monte Carlo circuit.
“Perhaps a bit much less satisfied, however for instance I am not satisfied the opposite method both,” Leclerc mentioned.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Photograph by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Pictures through Getty Pictures
“I feel for now, a Friday in Monaco is at all times very particular, very particular. I feel everyone is taking a bit their reference.
“It is too early to really feel very optimistic in regards to the weekend, however for instance that Friday has been very optimistic for us. I have been feeling fairly good with the automobile.
“It hasn’t began the way in which I wished with the crash with Lance, however after that it has been fairly easy and I am blissful general with the automobile.”
Leclerc agreed that capitalising on qualifying tempo on Saturday was nonetheless going to be very important within the race, though the addition of a second necessary cease could nicely open the door to extra strategic performs for victory.
He mentioned that the Ferrari additionally felt good on all three of the compounds Pirelli had delivered to the weekend, which may theoretically open the door to utilizing the C5 medium in qualifying.
“Sure, the one-lap tempo was robust,” he added. “No matter compound we have been on, I used to be feeling fairly snug and the lap time was coming fairly shortly, in order that’s at all times a great signal.
The Pirelli motorhome
Photograph by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Pictures
“Qualifying goes to be basic round right here and we have to be beginning in entrance if we wish to hope for a great consequence.”
Leclerc’s Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton was in excessive spirits following follow, notably in his effusive reward of the Monaco circuit – which he branded “the most effective rollercoaster experience”.
The seven-time world champion said that he was usually pleased with the Ferrari package deal from the get-go, and that extra adjustments have been wanted from his driving reasonably than any in a single day set-up tinkering.
“I feel within the time, I might say there’s extra to seek out in my driving in strains, in braking. I’ve obtained one tenth, for instance, simply in Flip 1,” he mentioned.
“However there’s bits right here and there all through the lap. On the automobile there are refined adjustments I feel must be made, however I cannot be making many adjustments in any respect.
“We’d change one small factor, like 1 / 4 of a level of camber or one thing like that, however most I feel that will be it.”
Learn Additionally:
On this article
Jake Boxall-Legge
Formulation 1
Charles Leclerc
Ferrari
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