What Leclerc lacks: 'Sainz just does it better'

Carlos Sainz competed in three Grands Prix this season, and the Ferrari driver has been on the podium each time. That is not the case for Charles Leclerc, who had to make do with two podiums in four appearances. The Spaniard has the upper hand for now, the five-time Grand Prix winner must acknowledge ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix.

Leclerc has scored a second, third and two fourth places so far. Therefore, it earns him third place in the world championship (behind Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez on behalf of Red Bull Racing). So he is still ahead of Sainz, yet it must be gnawing that he is often behind his teammate's Ferrari.

Sainz has the upper hand

"I think it's as simple as he's doing a better job," Leclerc is clear at the press conference. "Again, I think in Bahrain, it's difficult to compare, because on my side, I was facing issues, and I think it was a very strong weekend apart from that, on my side. However, in the last two races, he's just been stronger. So, it's up to me now to work, especially in the qualifying pace, which is normally a strength. I've been struggling to put the lap together. It's a very fine line to get it right or completely wrong on the out lap and putting the tyres in the right window."

In that area, in particular, the 26-year-old Monegasque driver believes there is work to be done. "For now, I have been struggling more than what Carlos has done, and he's driving at a very high level which I think is great for the team. It's great for me as well, and I have been working a lot on that, and normally when I work on points, I'm quite confident in improving pretty quickly. So I'm not. I'm not worried, but obviously, I need to show that on track, starting from tomorrow in qualifying."