Charles Leclerc feels that Ferrari is 'lacking a little bit of pace' relative to Red Bull to challenge for Formula 1 pole at the Japanese Grand Prix.
During FP1, the only dry Friday session, Melbourne winner Carlos Sainz set the best time of the Ferrari duo during a short flurry of hot laps conducted on softs but was nonetheless 0.213s shy of Max Verstappen's headline effort. In the meantime, Leclerc was eclipsed by both McLarens and stacked up sixth in the overall FP1 order, a quarter of a second away from his team-mate over his lap.
'Honestly, it's a bit closer to the Red Bulls than I anticipated or expected, so positive signs in terms of progress made from five months ago to now,' the Spaniard enthused. 'It's still obviously FP1. You don't know what fuel loads and engine modes they're running. Obviously last year we were eight tenths off in quali, and here to be two tenths off in FP1 was a good feeling or a good starting base. But they're going to be difficult to beat.
Nigeria Latest News, Nigeria Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Charles Leclerc makes Carlos Sainz admission as Ferrari attack Red Bull with ‘genuine pace’Charles Leclerc was open in admitting Carlos Sainz had the measure of him all weekend in Australia...
Read more »
Ferrari has “best shot” so far at beating Red Bull, says LeclercFerrari has its “best shot” at beating Red Bull so far this Formula 1 season, reckons Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Read more »
Charles Leclerc confident it’s “a matter of time” before Ferrari challenge Red BullCharles Leclerc believes it's a "matter of time" before Ferrari are able to challenge Red Bull consistently.
Read more »
Leclerc: 'A matter of time' before Ferrari puts Red Bull under pressure in F1Charles Leclerc believes it's 'a matter of time' before Ferrari can start putting Red Bull under pressure in Formula 1.
Read more »
Downbeat Lewis Hamilton prediction cast for Ferrari combo with Charles LeclercFlavio Briatore talks Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari and Red Bull...
Read more »
Red Bull’s set-up “not yet right” as Charles Leclerc’s pace catches attentionRed Bull admit that Ferrari's race pace at the F1 Australian Grand Prix is "very impressive".
Read more »