31/05/2025 06:30
Charles Leclerc has admitted surprise over the pace of Ferrari's
car during Friday practice in Barcelona. Leclerc ended the second
practice session in fifth place as Ferrari got its preparations
underway at an event it has failed to win in the turbo-hybrid era.
The Monegasque has arrived in Barcelona boosted by a podium on home
soil last weekend, where he bagged his second top three of the
year. As Ferrari chase another visit to the podium, Leclerc
highlighted he is expecting to find more pace overnight to add to
his positive start. "It was okay - it's very, very warm so that
makes it a bit trickier on track," Leclerc said. "The grip is not
what we want, but it hasn't been too bad. "Honestly, it's been a
bit more positive than what we expected coming here, so that's
good. "There is more performance in the car which I hope we can
unlock for qualifying. "There is still quite a bit of work to be
done. But I don't think we are too far out. We'll focus on a few
areas tonight, and let's see." With a new technical directive in
place from this weekend directed at a clampdown of flexing front
wings, Leclerc suggested it had little impact behind the wheel.
"Very quickly we adapt and we've got other tools in the car to try
and simulate something similar [to before]," Norris said. "I think
all of the teams have this as well, so for now, not so much."
