F1 News: Charles Leclerc Optimistic - "Closer Than It Looks On The Timesheet"

Following a fiercely contested qualifying session, Charles Leclerc remains hopeful about Ferrari's chances, despite Max Verstappen clinching pole position. The

Following a fiercely contested qualifying session, Charles Leclerc remains hopeful about Ferrari's chances, despite Max Verstappen clinching pole position. The margin between Ferrari and Red Bull was narrower than anticipated, sparking optimism within the Scuderia camp.

Key Takeaways:

• Charles Leclerc expresses optimism regarding the competitive gap between Ferrari and Red Bull, suggesting it's smaller than the timesheet indicates.
• Leclerc acknowledges improvements in Ferrari's performance compared to the previous year, highlighting better handling and consistency on used tyres.
• The true pace and competitiveness of Ferrari relative to Red Bull remain a key focus for the upcoming race.

Ferrari Press Image

In a qualifying session that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Max Verstappen emerged at the top, albeit with a lead that left room for speculation. The battle for pole position was closely fought, casting an intriguing prelude to the race day, especially when considering that Leclerc's Q2 performance would have put him on pole during Q3.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari's leading driver, has been pleasantly surprised by the slim gap to Verstappen's Red Bull. 

"I think it's closer than what it looks on the timesheet, but this is a good thing. We were expecting Red Bull to have a bit more margin than what there was today.

"So, we are a bit closer. A bit closer than what we thought, but the biggest question mark is obviously tomorrow in the race, and I'm pretty sure they have a bit more margin than what we've seen today. But again, let's wait," Leclerc shared.

Leclerc also reflected on the improvements the Maranello squad has made over the past year, highlighting a significantly better feel in the car's handling, particularly on worn tyres, a crucial factor for race day performance. 

"The feeling is much better compared to last year. Last year, whenever we had used tyres, the car would become very, very difficult to drive.

"The balance would be completely out of place, compared to the short runs. This year, we are a bit more... I mean, we are in the right window now in the long runs. So, it feels quite a lot better. It helps us to be more consistent.

"However, again, for the competitiveness, we'll see tomorrow," he elaborated.

As the Bahrain Grand Prix approaches, all eyes will be on Ferrari and Red Bull, with Leclerc's comments adding an extra layer of anticipation to the race. Will Ferrari's improvements and strategic insights narrow the gap to Red Bull, or will Verstappen's lead in qualifying translate into a dominant race performance? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the war starts today.