Charles Leclerc Offers Grim Prediction for Ferrari in Jeddah Amidst McLaren F1 Rivalry

Ferrari are heading towards one of the most crucial race weekends of the 2021 F1 season amidst their insane constructor’s battle with McLaren. If the Reds do manage to pull off another strong weekend in Jeddah, the scenario of McLaren beating them in the championship will not come to fruition by the end of the season irrespective of where Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo finish in Abu Dhabi.

However, it looks like things could take a wild turn over the race weekend in Saudi Arabia, widely favoring McLaren. Charles Leclerc openly confessed that Ferrari might look more inferior against McLaren around the streets of Jeddah due to the nature of the circuit.

What did the Ferrari F1 driver say?

As reported by Formula Passion, the Monegasque believes the high-speed nature of Jeddah Corniche Circuit might not play to the strengths of Ferrari. Subsequently, McLaren, who have looked particularly threatening around high-speed circuits like Monza, Sochi, and Austria, will look to deliver an extraordinary weekend in Jeddah.

“Anything can happen,” he said. “On paper, it doesn’t look like one of our best tracks due to the long straights and the fact that it is a high speed. But, we will only be able to make these speeches once we get out on the track, and also the new engine will help us.”

“Yes, and it will be enough to beat McLaren I don’t know, it will be tough. But, anything can happen.”

Leclerc relying on his own driving ability to beat McLaren

Citing the weakness that could haunt Ferrari through the Saudi Arabian GP weekend, Leclerc admitted that his only chance of beating McLaren is possibly by bringing the best of himself out on the track.

“I hope we drivers can make a difference, I can’t wait to try this circuit tomorrow for the first time. In addition, there are three DRS zones and they are very long. I think a third of the track is covered by DRS,” Leclerc said.

“So, I don’t think overtaking is as difficult as it is on any city track. It will certainly be a demanding circuit for us drivers, it is at high speed and there are close walls: there is no room for mistakes.”

Overall, we are in for quite a spectacular weekend in Jeddah with two interesting battles to keep an eye on. Of course, there’s the title-deciding battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. And there is the Ferrari-McLaren battle. So, who is going to come out as the winner by the end of the weekend?

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