Lecerc despite P11 for Verstappen: 'Expect Red Bull to be fastest team'

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reaction leclerc after fp2
22 July 2023 at 09:22
Last update 22 July 2023 at 10:02
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  • Kada Sarkozi
  • Editor

Charles Leclerc was the fastest driver in the second free practice session. According to the Ferrari driver, this is not saying much, although he hopes to compete for the front rows of the grid. However, he does think Red Bull Racing may still be a size too big, despite Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez finishing in the right-hand row in FP2.

"“[It’s] very difficult to read into today’s free practice. I think it’s something we expected, being the first weekend on this format with this tyre allocation everybody’s trying different things," Leclerc told Formula1' s camera. "I think we’ll go into qualifying not really knowing where we are – I’m sure that’s exciting – but the feeling was pretty good, so this is positive."

So there is not really anything to say about what the proportions are after two free practice sessions. According to the Monegasque, Ferrari is therefore wise to focus on itself. "We know where we need to improve the car, as there were some corners where I wasn’t as confident. It’s very clear for us where we need to work and then we’ll see tomorrow, but I’m sure we can do a great result here.”

What does Red Bull still have up its sleeve?

When Leclerc was asked if Ferrari has closed the gap to Red Bull, he said: “I mean, they only used one set [of tyres] I think, in FP2, so we still expect them to be the strongest team." Carlos Sainz concurs with his teammate: "I think the first two rows [of the grid] is where we target to be as a team, but at the same time with McLaren there, with Aston and Merc [Mercedes] and obviously Red Bull normally occupying the front row, it’s going to be a tough ask."