In a Bid To Catch Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc Admits to His Rookie Error As Ferrari Finds Itself in the Same Place: “More or Less There”

Ferrari may have received the much-needed lift they were looking for by finishing third at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The Prancing Horse attempted to overtake Red Bull last year with the help of their top driver, Charles Leclerc but failed to keep up with the RB’s relentless pace. The Austrian Outfit is on a winning streak this year as well, having won every race thus far. As this year’s Formula 1 circus has reached the Miami Grand Prix, the first US race of the season, Tifosi fans may be expecting the Prancing Horse to perform well given what the Ferrari camp has been suffering so far, especially Leclerc who had a terrible start. However, today, when Leclerc sat behind the upgraded SF-23, a rookie error by him, might have given shivers down the spine of Ferrari fans.

Leclerc obtained a P3 for both of the practice sessions. To his dismay, he wrecked late in the second session and hit the barriers at turn seven. He lost control of the modified SF23 that had some floor updates. The Monegasque violently struck a barrier during tank slapper, damaging his front suspension. When Formula 1 got up with the Monegasque later, after both sessions, they questioned about a general review of the vehicle.

The 25-year-old didn’t waste any time in stating that more or less the vehicle is at the same level and that the team is still observing some tire wear, which is causing both pilots to lose grip, and that is one of the primary factors that is still putting them behind the Red Bull. Moreover, the reason is sufficient to explain why they are failing to translate the qualifying performance into the race pace.

Leclerc said during their conversation, “Oh, there’s not much to talk about. I push too much. But yeah, it’s like this. Apart from that, I think the feeling is pretty good in over one lap. Over the race we we are so far behind. I mean Red Bull is again in a league of its own, but very, very fine front and and yeah so in the race we definitely have a lot of time to find, but in quali pace we are more or less there.”

READ MORE: Having the Worst Season Start, Charles Leclerc Reveals His Only Hope for a Ferrari Turnaround: “I Am Confident That…”

Leclerc’s performance at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix improved after he suffered two DNFs and a grid penalty. He placed third in the main race. The Monegasque, who was pursuing Verstappen, did not, however, push the tires to their maximum capacity. While highlighting the key problems of Scuderia, Leclerc has discussed why it’s been challenging to catch the Red Bull. In addition, he gives his opinion on whether Ferrari will be able to catch the RB 19 with the upcoming updates.

Charles Leclerc highlights the key issue of the Prancing Horse and opines if the upcoming upgrades will close the gap with the Austrian outfit

Red Bull has played in its own league from the start of the season. And it is quite apparent that the Austrian team has the best straight-line speed. In addition, their zero sidepods strategy has helped them keep the opponent at bay. While the Scuderia, which is gradually implementing “small upgrades,” is having trouble catching the Milton Keynes side owing to tire degradation. Leclerc told racing news365.com that if he pushes the tire to its extreme, the rubber will be killed.

He said, “Well, we have [Manage] with our car otherwise we kill [the tyres] and then we cannot get them back and then this has a big influence on our performance.” However, the team is preparing to make certain adjustments in accordance with their targets, which they will gradually improve with the forthcoming races in Imola and Spain.

Still, the 25-year-old wasn’t quite convinced when asked if the changes could move the squad closer to Red Bull. He said, “I don’t think it will be enough to fight with them [Red Bull]. But yeah, it will go in the right direction I’m sure.”

WATCH THIS STORY: Charles Leclerc Hopeful to Turn the Tables Against Max Verstappen After Promising Baku Pole

Do you think the upcoming upgrades will help the Prancing Horse close the gap with Max Verstappen and Co.?