Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc narrowly missed the front row in qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Behind the Red Bull duo Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez, he was only third, with the Mexican just four hundredths missing.
“I made a mistake in turn 6/7, but to be honest this is the place we deserved. Red Bull was stronger today,” said Leclerc, who set a personal best of 1:24.092 minutes – 0.268 seconds slower than Verstappen’s pole.
The Monegasque explains: “It was very, very difficult to get the tires in the right window and you have a very different feeling from one lap to the next. It was also a lot about management, even in qualifying. If you’re in the first and pushes the second sector, you lose everything in the third sector.”
“So I tried to find the balance and I think I found it on the last lap of Q3. But it wasn’t enough to challenge Checo. We were also a bit alone. I didn’t have a slipstream,” he said Leclerc further.
Leclerc: No idea if it’s enough against Red Bull
Nonetheless, the Monegasque sees Ferrari “in a pretty good position” for the race, although he knows it will be difficult to beat Red Bull. “We had a difficult FT2. It definitely felt better during the race simulations this morning, but we didn’t have a reference,” he says.
“So it’s still a small question mark at the moment. I had the feeling that we’re in a better position compared to yesterday. I don’t know yet whether that’ll be enough to beat the Red Bulls tomorrow. But we’ll give everything.” Could Ferrari possibly try a more aggressive strategy?
“It’s hard to say,” says Leclerc. “We’ll have to see what opportunities come up in the race. Obviously Carlos will start right behind me and hopefully we can put some pressure on Checo by doing different things.”
It will be particularly important for Leclerc to finish ahead of Perez. Both are currently tied in the drivers’ standings, behind world champion Max Verstappen. So whoever finishes before the other will secure the Vice World Champion title.
Battle for P2: Teamwork makes the dream work?
Sainz has already assured Leclerc of his support if necessary, and Leclerc himself emphasizes: “I am sure that we can work with Carlos, I have no doubt about that. And we will try to maximize the team result.” Because for Ferrari it is about second place among the designers.
Before the last race, the team has a 19-point lead over Mercedes. “We know Red Bull are a bit stronger on Sunday so it’s going to be difficult but we’ll give it our all and hopefully we can get second place in the drivers’ and constructors’ championships,” announced Leclerc.