“Nobody is pushing everything to its limit” – Charles Leclerc optimistic of Ferrari chances after impressive performances by him and Carlos Sainz in pre-season testing in Bahrain.
After Carlos Sainz finished P5 on Day 1, Charles Leclerc was more impressive on Day 2, finishing P6. All in all, Ferrari would be mightily pleased so far, after finishing a lowly P6 in the Constructors Championship last season.
DAY 2 CLASSIFICATION @ValtteriBottas was quickest for the second day of our @Aramco Pre-Season test in Bahrain 🇧🇭#F1 #F1Testing @MercedesAMGF1 pic.twitter.com/uwX5gLrLkW
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 13, 2021
Ferrari had instability issues with its rear, which seems to have been addressed well. But Leclerc chose to be cautious, down to the fact that the pre-season is taking place in dust-laden Bahrain.
“I think there has been some work on that. The first data we have seen on track is correlating with the data we had back in Maranello before this test, so this is already a positive.
“To give feedback on the car now with these conditions is very difficult but to see we have made some work on it and the data is correlating well with what we have in Maranello is a good sign of that. Everything feels quite good but it is very difficult to comment now.
Spins, flying bodywork, and a champ returns 😅
A interesting Saturday in Bahrain 🇧🇭#F1 #F1Testing https://t.co/KcVJwZV6n4
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 13, 2021
Another major issue with Ferrari was its engine, which affected Haas and Alfa Romeo as well. This problem is no more with the new power unit, as Antonio Giovinazzi ended Day 2 on P5. Leclerc, though, feels that this could also be down to the fact that bigger teams like Mercedes and Red Bull are ‘sandbagging’.
“Nobody is pushing everything to its limit, especially in these conditions, so right now it is early days but everything feels good and stacks up with what we expected.”
