Laurent Mekies can look back on a good qualifying session for Ferrari. Charles Leclerc will start the French Grand Prix from pole position thanks to good teamwork by Carlos Sainz. With Sainz facing grid penalties, the Spaniard could be fully employed to ensure Leclerc could start at the front. This was executed perfectly by both drivers and with the desired result, but Mekies is realistic.

At Ferrari, it was already thought that Sainz would be used to help Leclerc to pole. The execution is still difficult but it turned out to be a very good move. Mekies tells Sky Sports that despite the strong qualifying, it will be difficult against Red Bull. "It will be difficult [against Red Bull], but we know the weekend doesn't stop on Saturday. We know we've generally been fast on Saturday, but this comes with a bit of a better taste because we know we weren't fast this morning."

Not a successful job

Ferrari's sporting director says it is all down to a bit of teamwork and with Sainz's help but they are also aware that Paul Ricard has not proved a successful track for the team in the past. "With a high tyre gradation, it will be tough tomorrow. Two against one... it will be a good fight."

More downforce than Red Bull

However, the Frenchman also sees positives to the car that could turn out well in the race: "It's a trend that we have a bit more downforce, which means more aerodynamic drag compared to them. Every competitor looks at the characteristics of their car and puts it in the best performance range and that was our performance range."

Mekies is therefore looking forward to how the race will go on Sunday, concluding, "When you have more downforce, you see that the tyres perform a little better and the good thing about the sport is, that's the answer you get on Sunday afternoon."