Leclerc predicts a “difficult” F1 weekend in the “very special” Monza for Ferrari | F1

Monza is a special race for Ferrari as the grandstands are full of Tifosi.

Leclerc took a famous win in 2019 – his first year on the team – and beat the two Mercedes drivers in Monza.

Ferrari’s weakness on the straights means it is poised for a tough home race.

“I’m very excited,” said Leclerc on Thursday. “It’s a very special place every time you come as a Ferrari driver, so I’m really looking forward to it. We were in Milan yesterday, at the factory the day before, and we can really feel the support for the race.

“I’m really looking forward to it, but it hasn’t been an easy weekend for us lately. On paper it looks like a difficult route for us this year, but of course we will try everything. “

Related articles

Leclerc spoke about the support he receives at Monza and described it as “very special”.

“Yes, here more than anywhere else in the world,” added Leclerc. “Obviously Ferrari has so much support around the world wherever we go and we can feel it, but coming to Italy is just different.

Related articles

“We don’t get the support we have here anywhere else in the world. When you left the hotel this morning, hundreds of people were there for you and it’s so nice to see that we have so much support. It is definitely something very special. “

Carlos Sainz narrowly missed victory in last year’s race and crossed the finish line behind Pierre Gasly from AlphaTauri.

Since the change from McLaren to Ferrari, the reception by the Italian fans has been “completely different,” says Sainz.

“Certainly very different, yes, really good memories from last year,” he said. “I could feel a bit when I was announced as a Ferrari driver, long before I drove for McLaren here at Monza, I felt additional support this year.

“This year was another step; it’s crazy, we went to an event in central Milan yesterday and the amount of support you get as a Ferrari driver is just insane. I have no other word to describe it than crazy. And it’s something that I enjoy and look forward to feeling the rest of the weekend. “