Leclerc Cautiously Optimistic, Eyes Red Bull and McLaren in Mexico

Charles Leclerc acknowledges Ferrari's positive start to the Mexico City Grand Prix weekend, but remains realistic about their race prospects. He admits that McLaren holds a significant advantage in race pace, while Red Bull still has the upper hand in qualifying.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's performance in Mexico is crucial for their standing in the constructors' championship and their bid to close the gap on rivals. Leclerc's assessment provides a candid look at where Ferrari stands against the top teams, highlighting the challenges they face in converting qualifying speed into race-day results, especially as the season draws to a close.

The details:

• Strong Friday showing: Leclerc topped FP1 and finished P2 behind Max Verstappen in FP2, indicating strong single-lap pace for Ferrari.
• Pace deficit acknowledged: Despite the strong practice performance, Leclerc stated that Ferrari is "still on the back foot" compared to Red Bull on low fuel and McLaren on high fuel.
• McLaren's dominance on high fuel: Leclerc specifically noted McLaren being "in a league of their own and by a lot" on long runs, expressing uncertainty about their exceptional pace.
• Realistic race expectations: He concluded that it "doesn't seem realistic" for Ferrari to fight McLaren in the race, but the team will work on changes to improve.
• Car feel: Leclerc reported feeling "quite good with the car," suggesting a solid baseline to build upon for the rest of the weekend.

The big picture:

Ferrari's recent podium in Austin, courtesy of Leclerc, hinted at improving form. However, the consistent long-run pace of McLaren and Red Bull continues to pose a significant challenge. Mexico's unique high-altitude conditions often throw up unexpected results, but the underlying performance gaps identified by Leclerc suggest Ferrari has work to do to genuinely contend for victories on merit against the current frontrunners.

What's next:

Ferrari will focus on optimizing their car setup and strategy to bridge the identified gaps in race pace, particularly against McLaren. The team will analyze the data from Friday's sessions to make targeted changes before qualifying and the race, hoping to convert their promising single-lap speed into a strong Sunday performance. Overcoming the high-fuel deficit will be critical for any podium aspirations.