Leclerc points to rivals for Mercedes: ''They were impressive too''

Ferrari fights back

For Ferrari, 2020 was a year to quickly forget, as the scaled-back engine and chassis that wasn't tuned accordingly caused the Italian team to lose a lot of ground. Ferrari finished sixth in the Constructors' standings and that has to change in 2021. With Charles Leclerc now the clear leader since the departure of Sebastian Vettel, although Charles himself doesn't see it that way, Ferrari must find the way up again.

''My goal remains the same, and that is to always give 200 percent of myself when I'm in the car. My mentality and motivation are still the same. Ferrari can't stay in this place. The team has to fight for victories, or at least podiums. It gives me a lot of motivation to push everyone in the team to be winners again,'' Leclerc told Codesport Monaco.

Red Bull major challenger

However, the winter test in Bahrain did not give the Tifosi much hope. ''It wasn't easy to do everything in three days, but that's the same for all teams. We did a lot of kilometres and did everything we could. It was the best possible preparation.''

Ferrari does not yet appear to be among the favourites in 2021. Mercedes is, after seven world titles in a row, by default, but Leclerc also sees two good challengers. ''I have the impression that Red Bull Racing has had a good test and can be a good challenge for Mercedes this year. McLaren too, they were also impressive,'' concludes the Ferrari driver.