We have to go back to 2022 and climb in these Styrian mountain pastures to find Charles Leclerc on the top step of the podium. After the Montreal Grand Prix, where Ferrari found its colors, we obviously wanted to hear Leclerc about this shortage and his possibility of putting an end to it this weekend in Austria.
“Do you have confidence in a return to the front after Canada’s result (4th, Sainz 5th)?
Helmut Marko (Red Bull’s Young Drivers Manager) says we were the fastest on track in Montreal, but I think he’s exaggerating. What I want to remember is that now I can rely on a car that is much more predictable. It will just be necessary to confirm it here (in Spielberg). It took us some time to understand the car and how to tune it.
“Last year we came with a competitive car that could compete with Red Bull. This year, they are far ahead in race pace.”
It’s been a year since you and Ferrari won. Do you think that coming back to Austria will allow you to sign a success?
Last year we arrived with a competitive car that could compete with Red Bull. This year they are far ahead in race pace, so it will be tough. Luckily we bring, after those installed on the car in Spain, new things (front wing and floor) that could help us. The concern is that with the sprint race (Saturday), we will only have free practice 1 (qualifying will replace SS2) to test them. Not the best timing for this kind of exercise.
But you had them on the car during Tuesday’s shoot in Fiorano…
So it was fabulous to drive the 499P which won the 24 Hours. But on such an exercise you don’t learn much in terms of performance: your tires are demonstration compounds, very different from those used in the race and we only have 100 km authorized. So not much to remember.
So, really no chance for the regular to play for victory?
(He thinks for a long time.) Not surprisingly, no! »
