What the Ferrari driver said
“The first laps in Australia were very fun, but I think we will all soon understand how to best optimize battery management and at that point overtaking could prove so complicated that we will miss what we saw in Australia at the start of the race.” On the eve of the Chinese GP Charles Leclerc analyzed what happened a few days ago in Melbourne, a race that saw the Ferrari driver maintain the lead after an excellent start. Leclerc responded blow for blow to Russell’s attacks, who then followed a different strategy by stopping under the Virtual Safety Car.
Regarding Ferrari’s advantage at the start, Leclerc believes that it is an advantage destined not to last long: “I think it’s easier for us to bring the car into a good window to have a good getaway at the start, while for Mercedes this aspect is more complicated, but I believe that in a few weekends they will understand how to resolve this situation in a few races there won’t be a big difference between the cars when the GPs start.”
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If Mercedes has to fix their starts, Ferrari must close a gap that is currently not insignificant compared to the W17. Leclerc expects not to pay eight tenths again in Qualifying: “I believe the gap is not representative because we were truly far from our potential in Melbourne – Leclerc added – I expect to be closer in Qualifying and even closer in the race.”
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