Charles Leclerc on Ferrari upgrade package: "Productive Friday, but Red Bull clearly ahead"

Upgrades to study
Eighth in the first free practice session for the 2023 Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix, without updates, and sixth in the afternoon session when the upgrades brought by Ferrari for this weekend in Barcelona were also installed on his race car. This, in cold numbers, summarizes Charles Leclerc’s Friday at the Circuit de Catalunya. After the disappointing home race last weekend, the #16 driver of the Maranello team started the Montmelò weekend with ups and downs, which for the entire Maranello environment meant mainly keeping an eye on the effectiveness of the new updates.

A lot of work on track
Analyzing the day’s work, Charles Leclerc seemed overall satisfied, although at this moment it seems difficult to understand the concrete ambitions of Scuderia Ferrari for this weekend in the ongoing battle that the red team is carrying out with Aston Martin and Mercedes for the role of Red Bull’s challenger. “It was an intense day,” said the 25-year-old Monegasque driver, “since we had several new things to try in the car and different programs for the two vehicles. The feeling is quite okay, I mean we still have a lot to do to optimize this new package but it felt pretty good!” – the Ferrari man pointed out after the second free practice session for the Spanish Grand Prix.

“Productive Friday”
“Surely, I would say it was a productive Friday,” Charles Leclerc added, “because we completed all the tests we intended to carry out, even though at this moment it is not easy to understand exactly where we stand in terms of performance.” However, the only certainty is the dominant presence of Red Bull at the top of the group, particularly with Max Verstappen seemingly destined to once again dominate the race weekend, leaving no chance to his opponents.

Charles Leclerc on whether the Maranello team can fight for pole position at the Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona: “It’s difficult to answer that question because I think it is closer than ever. Apart from Red Bull that are in the league of their own, with their car, especially in race pace. Everybody else seems to be more or less there.”

Red Bull in the lead
“We will continue to work tomorrow to try to make progress and feel more comfortable in the car tomorrow,” Charles Leclerc concluded his analysis, “and then we will see where we can position ourselves. From what we saw today, it is quite clear that Red Bull is ahead, while the rest of the group is really closely matched.” – the Monegasque driver said.

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