According to Charles Leclerc, Ferrari’s “realistic goal” for the 2021 season is to be the third-fastest team in Formula 1 after Red Bull and Mercedes.
Scuderia left Bahrain fourth fastest team in F1 when Charles Leclerc finished sixth, over 20 seconds behind McLaren’s Lando Norris in fourth.
Leclerc played the lead role in qualifying, as he did several times in 2020, when he put his Ferrari on the grid in fourth place, only a tenth behind Mercedes’ Valtteri Bottas.
Ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend in Imola, Leclerc admits that Ferrari is unlikely to be able to compete with Red Bull and Mercedes in 2021.
“I think a realistic goal for this year is to be right behind Red Bull and Mercedes,” said Leclerc. “Realistically, they will be very difficult to fight with.
“We’re too far behind for the time being, but we’re fighting for third place in the constructors with four or five other teams. It will be a close battle, but if we do everything perfectly, it can be achieved.”
On the subject of matching items
Leclerc believes this year’s Ferrari SF21 is an improvement over its predecessor in all respects.
“It’s a step forward, a significant step forward,” added Leclerc. “We saw in Bahrain that we had a better development compared to the other teams from last year to this year. That is positive, but on the other hand we are still not fighting where we want to fight.
“We are doing our best to get back where we want to go to fight for victories. If you compare last year to this year, we did a good job and just have to keep working.
On the subject of matching items
“It’s a general improvement. The power feels better, the balance in the corners and the car’s actual grip feel better, so it’s overall – it’s not just about one thing, it’s just about the whole package that feels better. That is positive for the future. “
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