Although Charles Leclerc missed most of the first free practice on Thursday morning with transmission problems, he led the second practice at the Monaco Grand Prix and held Carlos Sainz back for a Ferrari 1-2.
Observers expected Ferrari to be strong in Monaco as their SF21 proved very competitive in the Spanish Grand Prix earlier this month due to Barcelona’s slow endings sector, which is often a good indication of the pace in Monaco.
Ferrari was well received on Thursday with this early promise: Leclerc was at the top of FP2 with a lap of 1: 11.684 minutes, a tenth faster than team-mate Sainz and almost four-tenths ahead of title rivals Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.
While Leclerc said his training pace was too good to be true, Sainz admitted after the session that Ferrari “is definitely very close to being a real threat”.
According to Sainz ‘former McLaren teammate Norris, Ferrari’s strong form was expected.
“To Spain? Yes, sure,” said Norris.
“You were very quick on the last chicane and you always have corners that you know are like Monaco and things like that.
Norris revealed that he even texted Sainz earlier this week to support the Spaniard and have the chance to win the Monaco Grand Prix.
Carlos Sainz Jr., Ferrari SF21
Photo by: Jerry Andre / Motorsport Images
“I texted Carlos before the weekend saying he had a good chance of winning,” he added.
“I think it’s expected on our part, maybe not from the outside or the audience, but we know where they are fast where they are not and this track suits them very well, so no surprise.
A big points weekend for Ferrari could shake the balance in the Constructors’ Championship as Ferrari and McLaren are embroiled in a fierce battle for third place that the Woking team is currently leading by five points.
Norris, who finished second free practice in sixth, said he was confident McLaren could get closer on Saturday but admitted there was a “realistic gap” with the cars in front.
“If you look at other tracks we’re sure we can get them [Ferrari] back a few places but they look tough, “explained Norris.
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“I think we are a realistic gap with the guys in front of us, but the car is good and we have to improve a few things, so I’m pretty hopeful.
Norris’ teammate Ricciardo had a much more difficult Thursday, admitting he was “far away” after finishing the day in 15th place.
“I felt I had confidence, it just wasn’t a translation into the lap time,” he said.
“In all honesty, it was pretty frustrating to be behind the wheel because I was going to cross the finish line. I would say, ‘Yeah, probably a decent lap’ and it was like, ‘You’re P12 or P15’ or even down one notch P17.
“So, frustratingly because it’s actually far away, there’s a lot of time to be found. Luckily we have [Friday] Off, but right now it’s like trying to figure out where is all the time.
“I will not lie [the car] is very sensitive. That was probably the most frustrating thing. It feels like it takes a certain style to drive, and if you don’t do that and get it right, it’s not fast just like today.
“Well, it’s just a little bit of trying to get my head around it.”
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