Leclerc concedes Ferrari Zandvoort struggles

Charles Leclerc has warned of struggles in his Ferrari cockpit despite topping the times on Friday at the Dutch Grand Prix.

The Monégasque driver ended second practice just 0.004secs ahead of team-mate Carlos Sainz offering some hope that the Scuderia can break Max Verstappen and Red Bull's recent stranglehold on race victories.

But it was not all smiles at the end of the day for Leclerc as he conceded to a number of issues with his car.

"[It was] a bit of a surprise to see everyone so close and it is going to be a tricky day tomorrow," said Leclerc.

"I wasn't very much at ease with the car balance today so hopefully, we can work in the right direction and do another step tomorrow.

"Just in general, the balance was very tricky. I had quite a bit of understeer and struggled to rotate the car. Then on exit, [it was] quite snappy because I didn't rotate the car enough mid-corner.

"We need to work on that but I am confident we can make a step forward tomorrow."

Zandvoort could be "fun" in the rain

Red Bull has held a clear advantage over Ferrari in straight-line speed this season but with the twisting nature of the Zandvoort circuit, Leclerc insisted the qualifying set-up has taken precedence this weekend.

"I think the corners are definitely the one we targeting to make right here because the straights are not so much and the overtaking will be very little," he continued.

"We will be pushing in quali and then we will see what happens in the race."

On the prospect of rain affecting qualifying, Leclerc said: "It is a tricky track but it will be fun if it is raining, but I will be ok with anything."

Related

Dutch Grand Prix

Mercedes chief lifts lid on Hamilton qualifying struggle

• September 1, 2023 11:57

Dutch Grand Prix

Zandvoort to be EXTENDED in 2024 amid rising success of the Dutch Grand Prix

• August 31, 2023 15:42