Leclerc delivers bleak Ferrari evaluation

Charles Leclerc has conceded Ferrari can’t be considered favourites at any of the upcoming tracks on the F1 schedule.

Ferrari enjoyed a strong start to the campaign and was a regular podium-scorer behind runaway leaders Red Bull.

However, the field has converged at recent events with McLaren and Mercedes closing in Red Bull.

Ferrari, meanwhile, has been unable to match the development pace of their direct rivals and now sit an obvious fourth in the pecking order, despite taking race victories in Australia and Monaco this year.

When asked by media including RacingNews365 if there are tracks coming up that could lift Ferrari to be labelled as favourites, Leclerc replied: “Not really. I mean, now if we stay like this with our car, I don’t think so. 

“Monaco is a very, very specific track, which we were very strong, but that doesn’t mean that we’ll be fast anywhere else during the season.

“So no, I don’t think that on paper we are favourites anywhere.“

Leclerc provides update on floor concerns

Ferrari has continuously asserted the major upgrade package it brought to Spain this year contains pace – however, unlocking the potential has proven to be the primary challenge.

The car has been noted to bounce at high speed, with Leclerc conceding it will not be solved for this weekend’s race at Spa-Francorchamps.

“The understanding [with the floor] is there, it’s going in the right direction for sure,” Leclerc said.

“The thing with the kind of issue we are facing is that it’s either on or off, and it’s very difficult to see the improvement.

“Maybe you have it for less time, and what I’m speaking of is mostly the bouncing, but it’s not like you improve the intensity of it, so whenever you have it, you have it.

“So we are doing steps in the right direction, whether it will be enough to not have it, I’m not sure yet, and I will expect that in Spa it can be an issue again.”