Ferrari drivers not sure of having the advantage at Monza

Even from the passenger compartment of his car, he was able to see them move, get agitated, exult as soon as he set a new reference time. Charles Leclerc had an ideal first day in red at Monza with the best time in the two free sessions on Friday. 

After Ferrari's first victory in 2019 last Sunday in Belgium, the first for the Monegasque in his career, the Team arrived as the big favorite on her land. She certainly responded but Leclerc is not sure of enjoying as comfortable a lead as at Spa-Francorchamps.

« It's nice to be the fastest but I don't think the result is representative of reality because I expect Mercedes reply in qualifying, confided the latest entrant into the GP winners’ circle.

They achieved their best mark in complicated conditions, on a track that was still wet, so they were at a bit of a disadvantage. I expect them to be very fast. In the rain, it was good, better than expected, but we have work to do, especially in the dry ». 

His teammate Sebastian Vettel had a less clear day, marked by an 8th time in EL1 and the 3rd time in EL2, 0”201 behind Leclerc. 

« It was a pretty decent day but we can do better, commented the four-time German world champion. The sessions were a bit choppy with everyone trying to rush onto the track to get some riding in dry weather. It's not the usual rhythm. We still managed to log enough mileage. 

We know what our weaknesses are and where we need to work for the qualifications. With a little more confidence behind the wheel, there is time to be had on this circuit. No one managed to sign a perfect lap given the conditions. I know I still have some left under my belt ».

As for the predictions which announced Ferrari favorite on paper, Vettel brushed them aside with a witticism of which he has the secret. 

« The others are fast, he added. Mercedes is not here twiddling its thumbs. You're talking to me about performance on paper. We obviously didn't have the same paper. ».

This bodes well for a good qualifying session, especially if we take into account the positional games to benefit from good aspiration.