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Charles Leclerc believes beating Mercedes in tomorrow’s British Grand Prix may be too much of a challenge for him and his Ferrari team to overcome.
The Monegasque qualified third on the grid for the race, behind Mercedes of Valtteri Bottas in pole position and Lewis Hamilton in second.
Speaking to City Press in the post-qualifying press conference, Leclerc was realistic about the team’s chances of beating their rivals in the race.
“If we look at the Friday race simulation, I think it’s going to be very difficult to fight with Mercedes,” Leclerc said. “Lewis’ race run was very, very strong.”
When asked where he believed his challenge would come from, the 21-year-old explained that it may come from the Red Bull duo behind him.
“Red Bull seem to be very quick in race trim as well, so it’s going to be tricky.”
Leclerc and team-mate Sebastian Vettel will start on a different tyre compound to Mercedes and Red Bull, hoping that an alternate pit strategy may help them usurp their rivals.
They hope the advantage will come from utilising the longevity of their chosen tyres. Leclerc also cited the characteristics of the Silverstone circuit as a potential benefit.
“If we can manage to gain some positions at the start – it’s a track where it’s quite hard to overtake – then we have chances to beat them,” Leclerc said. “But if not, I guess it will be difficult.
