Leclerc keeps Tifosi in line: 'Don't know if it's going to be enough'

Charles Leclerc mainly excels during sprint weekends in 2023. The Ferrari driver took three podiums this year and each time it was on the Sunday after that weekend's sprint race. His car is otherwise not cooperating well yet, but for the Italian Grand Prix, there may be some chances. Although Leclerc also knows how to temper these expectations.

The Italian Grand Prix, Ferrari's home race, at the Monza circuit attracts many passionate Italian F1 fans to the track. Ferrari is celebrating this year's victory at the 2023 Le Mans 24 Hours with a special livery in Italy. Whether a podium finish can also be celebrated is doubtful.

Leclerc not yet giving Tifosi much hope

Indeed, Ferrari certainly does not seem to be claiming victory as long as Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing are competing, but Leclerc is trying to assess his chances of a podium. Thus, he said during the FIA press event at Monza: "Let's say it's not exactly like Spa, but these track characteristics are closer to the ones of Spa than Zandvoort and Budapest, so we should be a bit more competitive here. Then whether it will be enough or not to fight for the podium, I don't know, but I really hope so, and we'll do everything for it for sure."

For the Ferrari driver, estimating every GP weekend remains difficult. The SF-23 is simply too unpredictable. When asked if that unpredictability is the car's biggest weakness, the Ferrari driver replied in the affirmative. Leclerc: "Yes, the unpredictability, especially on tracks where we have a bit more downforce. It becomes extremely tricky to drive. And we've got big changes of balance throughout the same corner, and as a driver, it's very difficult to get into a corner and not really knowing what balance you're going to get. So that's where we need to work on at the moment"