Leclerc, Vettel want more from Ferrari despite strong Friday

Both Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel said increased balance will be key if Ferrari are to maintain their positive standing from practice at the Russian Grand Prix.

Leclerc and Max Verstappen traded places atop the timing sheet in FP1 and FP2, although the Red Bull will drop from contention somewhat come Sunday as he serves a five-place grid penalty for taking a new Honda engine in Sochi.

Mercedes had the third-quickest car in both sessions, suggesting that a fourth consecutive win could well be on the cards for the Scuderia, but both of the team's drivers left the track on Friday looking for more.

"There is still quite a lot of lap time to be gained on our side," Leclerc said.

"The balance was not exactly how I wanted it to be, especially in the qualifying runs, but the race pace looked very strong, so that's good. It's mostly the balance throughout the qualifying lap."

Vettel echoed his team-mate's sentiments, although his assertion that the Red Bull looked the strongest car on-track will be music to Ferrari fans' ears as they bask in the glory of three successive victories for the first time since 2008.

"It was a bit strange. We tried some stuff, and we need to decide what to keep and what to get rid of," Vettel said after Friday practice.

"Red Bull looked really quick this morning and also in the afternoon, especially in sector three.

"I think we can improve, especially in terms of balance, we'll put it altogether and it should be a better day tomorrow.

"How much time we can manage? It's difficult to know. But tomorrow we are on the good side of things."

Related

More F1 news

Latest F1 news

Lewis Hamilton goes from Karate Kid to Samurai Warrior with Kill Bill guru

• 51 minutes ago

F1 Results Today: 2026 Japanese Grand Prix times and positions

• 1 hour ago

Oscar Piastri blames 'mirror system' after being hit with FIA warning

• 2 hours ago

Max Verstappen reveals why he kicked out F1 journalist at Japanese Grand Prix

• 3 hours ago

'It's better to quit': Will Max Verstappen take F1 icon's advice?

• 3 hours ago

Lando Norris on brink of FIA penalty after Japanese Grand Prix disaster

• Yesterday 20:18