Leclerc Acknowledges 'Big But' Despite Strong Friday for Ferrari in Baku

Charles Leclerc expressed satisfaction with Ferrari's Friday performance in Baku but highlighted a significant caveat: McLaren's seemingly insurmountable pace. While Ferrari showed promising strength, Leclerc believes McLaren, particularly Lando Norris, holds a substantial advantage that could surprise many in qualifying.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's consistent struggle to challenge for championships makes any perceived pace advantage critical. However, Leclerc's cautious optimism, despite topping Friday's sessions, underscores the fierce competition in F1. If McLaren indeed has a significant edge, it could redefine the pecking order and challenge Ferrari's aspirations for a strong Baku weekend.

The Details:

• Leclerc's Assessment: Leclerc admitted he didn't perform optimally but recognized Ferrari's underlying strength, stating, "Overall, we seem to be pretty strong, so it's good."
• McLaren's Pace: The 'big but' for Leclerc is McLaren, with him noting, "It looks like McLaren is in another world, literally, and I think people will be very surprised tomorrow because Lando didn't finish some laps that were very, very impressive."
• Ferrari vs. Rivals: Despite securing a 1-2 in the afternoon, Leclerc doubts Ferrari can fight Red Bull, but feels they are "in a good place" compared to Mercedes and other direct competitors.
• Qualifying History: Leclerc referenced past Baku qualifying sessions (like 2021) where he felt a pole wasn't possible but ultimately achieved it, indicating a sliver of hope despite his current skepticism about McLaren.
• Teammate Comparison: In the morning, Leclerc was P3, while teammate Carlos Sainz was P13. In the afternoon, Sainz shone, setting the fastest time, quicker than last season's pole. The gap between them was less than a tenth.
• McLaren's Unseen Potential: Both Norris and Oscar Piastri faced issues preventing them from putting together clean, representative laps, suggesting their true pace remains hidden.

Looking Ahead:

Leclerc's comments suggest a strategic focus on maximizing Ferrari's potential against Red Bull and Mercedes, while acknowledging the challenge posed by McLaren. The qualifying session will be crucial in revealing the true pecking order, particularly McLaren's hand. If Leclerc can leverage Baku's unpredictable nature and his past qualifying successes, Ferrari might still be in contention, even if a win seems a long shot currently.