Leclerc: We stopped trying to catch Mercedes

Charles Leclerc that Ferrari stopped attempting to chase Mercedes down towards the end of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix in Baku, saying that the team were focused on saving the tyres and gaining the fastest lap.

Mercedes recorded their fourth consecutive one-two, with Valtteri Bottas finishing ahead of Lewis Hamilton in a low-key race following the travails of practice and qualifying.

Leclerc was racing in the lead and Ferrari's decision to wait before pitting meant the Mercedes could overtake, leaving the 21-year-old frustrated.

But he added that his own incident in qualifying, where he pushed his car into the barrier, will be his main focus this weekend.

He said: "I believe there is a reason for [staying out long]. I need to look at the data before commenting because they have a lot more data than I do in the car.

"I felt a lost a bit of time once Valtteri, Lewis and Seb passed me. We need to look into that.

"I asked is there any possibility for us to come back, they told me no. After that there was no more trying to push to catch them, but just to try and save the tyres and do the fastest lap when I had the opportunity.

"On the medium we were very, very strong and that's what the leaders did their longest stint on. It could have been a very positive race but to be honest there is nothing wrong with Ferrari, just myself yesterday.

"I did a mistake yesterday and will come back from it stronger."

Next up is Barcelona in two weeks time, with Ferrari already in danger is being left behind by Mercedes.

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