Leclerc satisfied with his change of approach after his Friday times

After a mixed Portuguese weekend for Ferrari, the Team seems to have found color in Catalonia. This is evidenced by the promising times posted by Charles Leclerc this Friday on the Montmeló route (Spain). 

5th in Free Practice 1 at midday, the Monegasque progressed to 3rd place in the afternoon, 26 thousandths behind Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) and 0''165 of the reference established by Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes). 

« It was a great day, very clean, congratulated Leclerc as he got out of the car. I changed the way I approached the sessions a little compared to Portimão. I proceed a little more step by step. I drive much better and feel more comfortable with the car. I hope we can continue this positive momentum for qualifying, which is crucial on this track ». 

After a very difficult year 2020, the house from Maranello (Italy) has raised the bar and is asserting itself as a serious candidate in the fight for 3rd place in the Manufacturers ranking, which is notably contested by its historic rival McLaren. 

Leclerc believes Ferrari has what it takes to win the honorary title of best of the rest in Spain this weekend. 

« I think we can finish just behind Mercedes and Red Bull, this is the best we can aim for at the moment, he agrees. Good surprises are always welcome but the objective will already be to finish behind these two teams ». 

His teammate Carlos Sainz was not to be outdone with the 6th and 8th times of the opening day.