Hopeful Leclerc: 'Hopefully that gives us the upper hand for last races'

F1 News

Leclerc Ferrari gains upper hand over Mercedes
30 September at 18:52
Last update 30 September at 20:26
  • Kada Sarkozi
  • Editor

First place in the constructors' championship is decided in Red Bull's favour, but behind them it is still very exciting. Mercedes currently holds second place, followed by Ferrari. The difference between the two teams amounted to 20 points after the Japanese Grand Prix. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc reveals to Sky Sports that Ferrari is far from giving up the fight with Mercedes.

Ferrari seems to be finally getting the SF-23 into a better rhythm from the Italian Grand Prix onwards. Carlos Sainz took pole position twice and a win in Singapore. Charles Leclerc is also competitive and finished ahead of both Mercedes at Suzuka. He thinks Ferrari learned in the Japanese Grand Prix how to have the upper hand on the German racing stable for the rest of the season.

Leclerc on battle with Mercedes: 'Will be a very close fight'

"Mercedes are strong, especially in the races. In Japan, they put us under a bit of pressure at the end by splitting the cars. In qualifying, it's a bit more inconsistent, so it's going to be a very close fight," the Monegasque began. "But, I have a feeling inside me that we have learned a few things in the last weekend that will hopefully give us the upper hand for the rest of the season." Leclerc, however, does not clarify what these learning points were.

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur also spoke to Sky Sports. The Frenchman previously revealed that he is proud of his team over the way the problem in terms of tyre degradation was handled. He indicated that the track temperature at Suzuka would be a risk for Ferrari beforehand, but that in the end the team handled it well. Vasseur is additionally pleased with the way the strategists have developed. He saw well-thought-out strategies in terms of tyre management from his team in recent races and concludes, "Each time you will do a step forward you will also help the driver to do a step forward. This can be a kind of snowball effect".