Leclerc: 'I certainly didn't expect this result'.

Charles Leclerc managed to drive his Ferrari to a good spot in the points again last weekend, despite the disappointing performance of the SF1000 this season. The Monegask finished in sixth place in Russia, but did not really know where his result came from.

Leclerc started the tenth race of the season from eleventh place, after a disappointing qualification from him on Saturday. He was dissatisfied with just missing Q3, as camera footage of him when he returned to his garage showed. But less than 24 hours later that disappointment disappeared like snow in the sun, after he sent his car to a neat sixth spot and won eight points in the World Cup.

"I certainly did not expect this," admits Leclerc to Speedweek. "To be honest, I am quite surprised. On Friday the race simulations regarding the tyres and our speed weren't fantastic. That's why I didn't expect to be able to make such a big leap on Sunday. It was a nice surprise. The sixth place was absolutely the highest possible with this car".

The 22-year-old driver climbed up to seventh place in the championship. However, he is only eight points behind Lando Norris, who is in fourth place. "That's nice, yeah. I am very happy, because the team has had some very tough weekends. Mentally that was a challenge, because it is very annoying when you have a good start and are then overtaken on all sides, like at Mugello".