Charles Leclerc: Ferrari aren't at Mercedes' level

Charles Leclerc

Leclerc: Ferrari aren't at Mercedes' level

Confidence is low in Austria.

Matthew Scott

Thursday 27 June 2019 17:02

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Charles Leclerc delivered a pessimistic assessment of Ferrari's chances at the Austrian Grand Prix, despite the Red Bull Ring potentially playing into the hands of their SF90 car. Spielberg's long straights should benefit Ferrari's strong engine, but Mercedes' dominant run has Leclerc concerned.

Mercedes have won all eight races this season, and their run stretches back through the past 10 grands prix, leaving them one win short of McLaren's all-time record run.

That run came closest to being broken in Canada this year, where Sebastian Vettel crossed the line first but Lewis Hamilton inherited victory as a result of the German's time penalty.

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Although the characteristics of Montreal that suited Ferrari are also found in Spielberg, Leclerc remains cautious coming into the weekend.

"I think at the moment it is quite difficult. They seem very, very quick," Leclerc said.

"They were extremely quick in Paul Ricard, especially in the race pace. We are focusing on ourselves trying to do the best job possible. But to be honest it is quite difficult to be at their level.

"If they don't run into issues, it is troubling for us to challenge them.

"We will believe it until the end, of course. We are all aware the gap is quite big.

"It'll be difficult to catch up, but we won't give up until it's not possible."