Charles Leclerc has acknowledged that Ferrari faces challenges against Red Bull and McLaren leading into the Mexican Grand Prix. Despite achieving the second-fastest time during Friday’s practice session at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Leclerc feels his team is currently at a disadvantage.
Leclerc’s Observations on Ferrari’s Performance
Leclerc finished the session just 0.153 seconds behind Max Verstappen’s top time. Initially pleased with the results, he noted, “Friday was a positive one.” However, he quickly pointed out the reality of Ferrari’s situation, saying, “We are still on the back foot compared to Red Bull, especially on low fuel, and McLaren, especially on high fuel.”
- Podium Return: Leclerc returned to the podium in Austin for the first time in six races.
- Speed Comparison: Leclerc was optimistic about his laps but recognized McLaren’s significant advantage in performance.
Red Bull’s Long-Run Concerns
After the practice session, Verstappen shared his “big concern” regarding Red Bull’s long-run performance. Leclerc commented on the potential shifts in performance over longer distances, suggesting the Ferrari car may perform better on high fuel. “On the high fuel, we were maybe a little bit better compared to Red Bull,” he stated, reflecting on the overall competitiveness.
Leclerc also expressed uncertainty about McLaren’s impressive pace, speculating, “They seemed to be very strong.” He emphasized that Ferrari’s current performance may not be sufficient to compete directly with McLaren during the race but vowed to work on improvements.
Hamilton’s Performance Insights
Lewis Hamilton, who was fifth fastest in the second practice session after sitting out the first, shared his thoughts on the competition. “I’m surprised how relatively close we are, given how not great it felt,” Hamilton remarked. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the high altitude in Mexico, which necessitates high downforce setups.
- Driving Challenges: Hamilton noted difficulties with car balance and grip, indicating ongoing adjustments are needed.
- Future Focus: He emphasized the need for further analysis to enhance the car’s performance and tire management.
Looking Ahead
As teams prepare for the race, Leclerc and Hamilton remain focused on refining their cars. While Ferrari aims for improvements to compete with Red Bull and McLaren, Hamilton seeks to better understand the tire dynamics for the upcoming race. The Mexican Grand Prix promises to be an exciting showdown among the leading teams, with both drivers intent on optimizing their performance.
