Leclerc realistic after practice: 'Don't think we can take pole'

F1 News

Leclerc looks back on first practice sessions
3 March 2023 at 18:31
Last update 3 March 2023 at 22:10
  • GPblog.com

Charles Leclerc is in good spirits after the training sessions. Talking to Sky Sports the Ferrari driver says he has more confidence in the team than prior to the free practice sessions, although he does acknowledge that Red Bull still seems out of reach.

With a fourth time in the second free practice, Leclerc was able to keep up reasonably well, although he was more than two-tenths behind the top three. Nevertheless, the Ferrari driver is very happy with how the practice sessions went.

"It felt good, better than the test days which were very inconsistent. I'm happy with how I drove and how the car felt. Obviously Red Bull seems slightly faster, maybe Aston Martin too, but we have to check that tomorrow. Tonight with the engineers, let's try to improve the performance and fight in qualifying."

'I don't think we can take pole'

Last season, Leclerc managed to take pole position at this track and eventually win the race. This year, the Monegasque is not very confident of succeeding again.

"It's still early in the weekend, let's see if Saturday confirms what I think ," said Leclerc. "I don't think we will have the performance to take pole, let's try to stay within reach and take the chances. It looks like we have some margin, but we don't know what the rest can do."