Leclerc sees 'exciting' qualifying as Ferrari hunts for more pace

Charles Leclerc expects Madrid's new Madring circuit to deliver an exciting first qualifying session on Saturday, but Ferrari is not reading too much into Friday's promise. Leclerc was second in FP2, just 0.100s behind Kimi Antonelli, after going third in FP1.

Why it matters:

Mercedes looks like the benchmark, and Ferrari's ability to extract performance on a track where nobody has data could be a key indicator. With overtaking expected to be difficult, a strong grid position is especially valuable.

The details:

• Leclerc called the day "very interesting" and "very, very challenging," with qualifying likely to be "exciting." He said there is "lots of work" to improve the car.
• Antonelli topped FP2; Lewis Hamilton was fourth and third in the two sessions.
• Fred Vasseur warned Friday's order says little: "We are far away of the lap time of Quali."
• Leclerc is running an ADUO1 unit rather than the new-spec ADUO2 involved in his Monza crash. Ferrari says the engine still needs inspection.

What's next:

Leclerc is not setting a target: "It is more about trying to maximise what we have. I expect the Mercedes is quite strong but you never know." With confidence crucial at the Madring, Saturday's qualifying should be anything but dull.