Leclerc highlights Ferrari’s ‘biggest problem’ at F1 Hungarian GP
Ferrari’s recent struggles continued at the Hungaroring as the Italian team was unable to get involved in the battle to seize pole position versus McLaren and Red Bull.
Leclerc entered this event having endured a wretched run that comprised 12 points in four rounds since winning in Monaco and he looked on the backfoot once more.
The Monegasque struggled to match team-mate Carlos Sainz when the track was damp earlier in proceedings and needed another run in Q1 to ensure he progressed
But while he cited that wrestling the car through the last turn cost him a spot to Lewis Hamilton, Leclerc has professed that Ferrari is again lacking pace this weekend.
“Well, to be honest, I didn’t feel like it would have hurt us or neither benefit us,” Leclerc said regarding the cooler conditions.
“I think the picture was very similar to what we expected yesterday. And yeah, we are just lacking some pace at the moment.
“I think the best result for the team could have been P4-P5. I didn’t do the lap of my life and in the last corner I lost a few hundredths which cost me the P5.
“But apart from that, there wasn’t much more on the table.
“So, we’ve got to work because obviously it’s clear that we are lacking some pace against McLaren and the Red Bull. And we are pretty similar with Mercedes.”
Leclerc, who will start two places behind Sainz, suspects Ferrari’s single chance at beating cars ahead will come down to managing the tyres in the hotter conditions.
Asked whether he suspects fourth and fifth is the best Ferrari can strive to achieve in the race, Leclerc replied: “Yes, I think so.
“With the warm weather it might change and obviously the tyre management will be a big thing. So, we’ve got to work on that and prepare for that.”
