Reigning Drivers’ Champion Max Verstappen seems to be making F1 look easy after he grabbed his fourth consecutive pole at the Austrian Grand Prix. The Dutchman clocked a lap time that was just slightly quicker than both the Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
Since the Prancing Horse have seemingly closed down the gap to Red Bull and Verstappen, Leclerc was all smiles. However, the Monegasque did make it clear that the team now needs to work on their consistency.
This is because even though Ferrari have produced some exceptional results this year, they also have had some disastrous results. And it is this reason why they are currently languishing in fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship. They are not only behind leaders Red Bull but also behind second-placed Mercedes and third-placed Aston Martin.
Charles Leclerc comments on Ferrari’s “good step forward“
After a difficult start to the 2023 season, Charles Leclerc seems to have kickstarted his second consecutive race weekend on a positive note after having scored some good points in Canada the last time round. However, despite having shown some remarkable improvement, the Monegasque still ended up being 0.048 seconds behind pole-sitter Max Verstappen.
While his lap time was not good enough for pole, Leclerc was still happy with Ferrari’s progress. After his qualifying performance, he said in his interview, “I managed to put everything that I wanted in that last lap of Q3. Very close to Max. Not enough today, but overall I don’t think we expected to be so close to the Red Bulls. So, it’s a good step forward“.
The 25-year-old then went on to comment upon the importance of Ferrari needing to find consistency. Leclerc said that while his side’s race pace was strong in Montreal two weeks ago, it is not a given that they would be equally strong in Austria this weekend.
However, he did make it clear that if Ferrari has the pace, then he will do everything in his potential to put Verstappen in a spot of bother. So far this season, no team has been able to match Red Bull as they have won all the eight races. And hence, Leclerc and Ferrari will face a tall order ahead if they are to stop the dominance of the Dutchman.
Leclerc is currently in talks with Ferrari for a contract extension
Charles Leclerc is a busy man this weekend as he not only has to fulfill his duties on the race track but is also currently engaging in talks with Ferrari for a possible contract extension. The Monegasque, whose contract expires at the end of next year, admitted to Sky Sports ahead of this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix that he and the team have begun to speak about it.
Even though speculations continue about his future amid Ferrari’s recent struggles, the 25-year-old has once again made it clear that he does not plan to changing his team. Leclerc ended his remarks by stating that his focus is only on driving and winning with Ferrari as soon as it is possible.
Since Leclerc is one of the top drivers on the current grid, speculations about his future are unlikely to end until he puts pen to paper over a contract extension. His Ferrari teammate, Carlos Sainz, is also in a similar predicament as the Spaniard’s contract also expires at the end of the next season.
