Charles Leclerc admits SF1000 has ‘a general problem’ and suggests Ferrari’s sights ‘are firmly set on 2022’. Charles Leclerc admits SF1000 has 'a general problem'.

Scuderia Ferrari’s Formula 1 struggles in 2020 cannot be narrowed down to just one area and will take significant time to improve, according to Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc. A considerable disappointment this season, the Ferrari SF1000 has been a far-cry from the car that recorded three wins and nine poles in 2019.

Through the first four races of 2020, the Scuderia has only managed two podiums with Charles Leclerc – both largely due to outside circumstances – while Mercedes and their driver Lewis Hamilton have started to run-away with their respective championships.

According to many observers, the loss of performance stems from the clamp-down on fuel-flow setup Ferrari was using last season, but Charles suggests the problems are far more wide-reaching.

“It is difficult to say exactly what is wrong with the SF1000,” he told La Gazetta dello Sport. “It is a general problem. We have seen that in the rain it is difficult, but in the dry we have struggled a bit more in the sectors where there are more straights. So it’s not one thing: we have to work on a general package to take a better step.” – the Monegasque explained.

Compounding issues is that Mercedes and Hamilton continue to make great strides forward, with Charles Leclerc conceding he has to take his hat-off to the superior team and driver.

“Today winning is very difficult because we have a team that is at a very high level, as we see even more this year. I [also] think we cannot take anything away from Lewis, who I think is one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history and he’s doing a great job. He is always very consistent, always 100%, mentally very strong. So there is nothing to say: Mercedes, he, the combination of the two elements makes it really difficult to compete with them right now.” – he added.

As to the question of when the reds can manage to right the ship, Leclerc suggests the sights are now firmly set on 2022.

“Now is a very difficult moment for the team, so it will take some time. How long, I don’t know. But I believe that in 2022 there will be a major change in the rules and that will be a great opportunity to change things. And we have to work to change them in 2022. To start a new cycle of Ferrari successes.” – Charles Leclerc concluded.