The “best session of 2023” for Leclerc

Second during Free Practice 2 disrupted by rain, Charles Leclerc found a smile again in a slightly more efficient SF-23 which was “going in the right direction”.

Published on 31/03/2023 à 14:30

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Leclerc is regaining color after a positive Friday for the Scuderia. ©Xavi Bonilla / DPPI

A reason to be optimistic Ferrari ? After two difficult races, the Saudi meeting notably saw Charles Leclerc et Carlos Sainz unable to look for Mercedes, the last free practice session in Melbourne (Australia) seems to clear the clouds a little. “ The feeling is better than other races, that's positive, says the Monegasque. It's certainly the best free practice session of the season, which isn't saying much, but at least Friday ends on a good note. » Leclerc procrastinates, aware of the expectations surrounding the Scuderia after a 2022 season where the driver had a chance to fight for the title. But, for the current campaign, Red Bull has imposed its pace that Maranello cannot follow for the moment.

« We have work to do, steps to take in the right direction for tomorrow, hoping to be a little closer to Red Bull in qualifying, and especially in the race », underlines the pilot. If the SF-23 is rather built to be fast on a lap, which the Monegasque showed during the two Q3 sessions of the season, it does not have the compromise of its Austrian competitor. “ With the rain, no one did a race simulation with a full tank, which means that we are a bit blind for Sunday, adds Leclerc. Maybe we'll see a bit more long runs in FP3, hopefully learning more from there.

Same story on his teammate's side, Vasseur's team remaining cautious about the potential of his car : " Of course, testing is just testing, but we used the first session to try new things on the car and see where we can extract some performance from the package we have at the moment, says Sainz. We understand how it works a little better, we have found things that will help us for the future, but as long as we are not in the qualifications, it is difficult to position ourselves », observes the man who finished the first two free practice sessions in Australia in 6th and 5th position.

Qualifying will take place from 7 a.m. (French time) on the Albert Park track, following a final free practice session, from 3:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. (French time).

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