“The whole package feels better”: is Ferrari going backwards? Charles Leclerc looked forward to the close battle for third place in 2021 – but insists Scuderia are still focused on changing the rules in 2022 and fighting for victories.
By Matt Morlidge
Last updated: 04/15/21 6:03 PM
2:49
Charles Leclerc is delighted to compete for Ferrari at the Imola Circuit in Ferrari
Charles Leclerc is delighted to compete for Ferrari at the Imola Circuit in Ferrari
Charles Leclerc says Ferrari’s F1 comeback is in full swing after taking a “significant step forward” with his 2021 car – but he insists the team shouldn’t get away from a close battle for third place distracting from his great long-term goal.
Ferrari hits the Emilia-Romagna GP for one of their two Italian home races after an encouraging start to the season in Bahrain, with both Leclerc and new teammate Carlos Sainz scoring points in the top 10 for the most successful team in F1 it sounds like too big a feat . After finishing sixth in 2020 – Scuderia’s worst season in four decades – this was a much-needed preseason boost.
“It’s a step forward. A significant step forward,” said Leclerc when speaking of Ferrari’s new and improved SF1000 car.
“We saw in Bahrain that we made better progress compared to the other teams from last year to this year. So that’s positive.”
“It’s an overall improvement. The strength feels better. The balance in the turns and the actual grip feel better. It’s not a thing, it’s that the whole package feels better and this is positive for them.” Future.”
Ferrari’s strong start has made them one of the favorites for third place, along with McLaren, who took that position last year and were the other midfield team to score points with both cars in the season opener.
“I think the realistic goal for this year would be to be right behind Red Bull and Mercedes,” said Leclerc. “Realistically, I think that it will be very difficult to fight with them. We are too far behind for the time being, but we are fighting with four or five other teams for third place in the constructors.”
“It’s going to be a close fight, but if we do everything perfectly I think it’s achievable.”
Leclerc explains Ferrari’s long-term mentality
Leclerc is certainly optimistic about Ferrari’s 2021 but remains firmly convinced that both he and the team want a lot more than just fighting in midfield.
“We are still not fighting where we want to fight, we are putting all our efforts into getting back where we want and fighting for victories,” said the Monegasque.
With the seemingly impossible to fight for victories this year, Ferrari like many other teams are in a difficult position to make progress this year while all attention remains on a big car and the rules overhaul in 2022.
2:55 Simon Lazenby and Martin Brundle are looking forward to the second race of the 2021 season from Imola
Simon Lazenby and Martin Brundle are looking forward to the second race of the 2021 season from Imola
Ferrari has openly admitted that the main focus is on next year – something Leclerc is perfectly happy with.
“I think the mentality is right, I have no doubt about that and I think we are doing well,” he said. “The beginning of 2020 was difficult when we saw the reality of things and realized that we really took a step back in 2019. But we went through this process well in my opinion and started working on the reconstruction of the whole project.
“I don’t think we will get carried away with the fight [for third] I think everyone is aware that there is much more to be gained in preparing for 2022 in the right way as these new cars will last much longer, many years after 2022.
“We have to be prepared for this. I think we’re preparing like we should, so I’m not worried about that.”
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