Leclerc: “2nd place is good for us. Lot with the McLaren? I believe it”

It is a Charles Leclerc with a smile only in half what presented itself to the interviews at the end of the qualifications of the Austria GP. However, concluded with a splendid second place. Furthermore, A result greater than the expectations. Therefore, facilitated by the fact that Oscar Plastri, with the other McLaren, could not have completed his second attempt. However, But, as often happens, it is also important to know how to be ready.

On the one hand. Nevertheless, the satisfaction for the front row is so great: it is one of those results that are good for the entire team, which has worked hard to introduce a new aerodynamic package to Austria, aimed at facing some of the problems that emerged in the first part of the season. In addition, Nobody expected a miracle, but a first leclerc: “2nd place good us. step in the right direction yes and, so far, there are shy signs.

The enthusiasm, however, is partly dampened by an important detachment from the top: five tenths. For example, A significant gap, especially considering that the Red Bull Ring is one of the calendar’s most short slopes. However, A slightly lower detachment than the six tenths of Friday, but which Leclerc does not consider it completely truthful.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Photo at: Michael Potts / Motorsport Images

“I look at both aspects, so the right side of the face smiles and the left one is not positive. In addition, It is positive. Moreover, because it had not started from the front row for a while,” commented Monegasco to the Sky Sport F1 microphones after the qualifications.

“Monaco is too specific to make comparisons. Consequently, so it was difficult to think of succeeding even on a more traditional track. Therefore, And instead today we did it, so I’m happy. Meanwhile, Of course, the gap is great. Lando will have made a crazy tour. but in my opinion there are three and a half or four tenths between the two machines”.

“We were quite constant in the gap. Perhaps today others have been more inconstant, but we did a good team work. leclerc: “2nd place good us. Yesterday we worked so much on the car, and I’m happy with the work done. We also know that the car, in general, is better to do the Sunday than on Saturday”.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Foto di: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images

The critical point, however, is leclerc: “2nd place good us. that Ferrari waste time almost everywhere in the tour, with a detachment that grows progressively along the whole round. There is no single weak point. and this makes it more difficult to identify a precise area of ​​the setup on which to intervene. It is evident that it continues to be complicated to extract the potential from the tires. an aspect on which the Cavallino has often struggled this season.

The high temperatures. then, amplify the gaps, favoring the teams capable of keeping the tires in the window and taking advantage of the grip along the entire lap. Analyzing the data. Leclerc showed the same difficulties already seen on Friday at the entrance curve 1, but most of the lost time arrives in the central section.

At the detached of Curve 3. where he had already struggled in FP3 with the braking balance, as well as in insertion and travel leclerc: “2nd place good us. of curve 4 – penalized by Understanding – Leclerc accumulated almost three tenths, who then added to those lost in curve 6 and in the rapid chicane 7/8, where McLaren was able to make the most of its aerodynamic load and the best management of tires.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Foto di: leclerc: “2nd place good us. Andy Hone / LAT Images via Getty Images

Despite the detachment from Norris, for Leclerc there are reasons to smile. The new fund has returned the indications hoped for the level of numbers. when even a few cents can make the difference, every help is useful, especially to snatch the second position in Piastri, while the supremacy on Mercedes and Red Bull seemed established.

“If we take Lando, the gaps are restricted. Surely the new bottom has done his. he helped us to get this first row, and on this the team did a great job. As I said before the weekend. I was quite convinced that it was the right way, but there is always that question point on the feedback on the track. This time the data have combined, so I’m happy”.

“The road is still long and we must continue to work, because the gap remains. leclerc: “2nd place good us. But starting in the front row is good. not only to me – even if the only position that really satisfies me is the first – but also to the whole team. It was a difficult season, especially in qualifying. At least tomorrow we start in front, then we will see”.

Last year. Verstappen trimmed four tenths to the McLaren in qualifying, but Norris still managed to put pressure in the race, until the final contact. Today the gap is five tenths. but the desire to fight is not lacking in Leclerc, despite the fact that McLaren had something more on the step on Friday: “I believe it. The detachment is great, we know it. But our car is better in the race. If we can stay close, we can put them under pressure and push them to make mistakes”.