Charles Leclerc planning “to use” Verstappen in 2021 Russian GP. Charles Leclerc planning "to use" Verstappen in 2021 Russian GP.

Scuderia Ferrari Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc has revealed he will try “to use” Max Verstappen during Sunday’s Russian Grand Prix at Sochi in his attempt to recover as many places as possible due to the fact that Charles, just like Max Verstappen, will have to start the race from the back of the grid.

Both drivers will start on the back row at the Sochi Autodrom following power unit changes, but with Verstappen last due to an additional three-place penalty for his collision with Lewis Hamilton in the Italian GP.

At a circuit where overtaking is possible, there is the opportunity for Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull driver Verstappen to finish in the points.

Asked if he could work together with Verstappen to regain positions during the race, Charles Leclerc explained: “Hopefully but it might be a bit easier for him. He is quite a bit quicker than us, but I will try to use him and overtake cars behind him, although it is a very difficult track to overtake.

“I tried during FP2 and it was very difficult so let’s see, we never know. I will try to give my best but it may be a difficult race on Sunday.”

Ferrari’s “big change” could provide big gain for Charles

Charles Leclerc feels practice at least confirmed the new PU upgrade is an improvement on the previous specification.

The Maranello team has updated its hybrid system for Leclerc only this weekend, with Carlos Sainz expected to receive the upgrade at a later date.

Evaluating the first day of running at Sochi,  Charles Leclerc added: “It went very good. It was a positive day.

“It is a big change for everyone, for the mechanics, for us it is a new part so it is good to see that everything was working as expected and now we have been focusing mostly on the race because qualifying, we will be starting last anyway. We have done a good job today by taking as much information as we could. I feel that it [the upgrade] is a little bit better which is great and the data confirms it. It is great to feel it and great to see it.” – Charles Leclerc concluded.