Pressure builds on Ferrari's Leclerc after damning teammate confession

Ferrari star has admitted to struggling to match his team-mate's pace so far in the 2024 season.

This year has seen Ferrari establish themselves as the closest challenger to Red Bull's dominance so far.

READ MORE: Schumacher collection to sell for over $4 MILLION at auction

Currently sitting second in the constructors' standings, 21 points behind the Milton Keynes squad after four rounds, the Prancing Horse have impressed with their car's pace and reliability.

Carlos Sainz, the only driver outside of Red Bull to have secured a victory so far this season (and the only non-Red Bull driver to win a race in 2023), has emerged as a surprising star performer.

The Spaniard, currently out of contract after being replaced by Lewis Hamilton for 2025, has showcased exceptional consistency, finishing on the podium in every race he's completed, including a stunning victory at the Australian Grand Prix, just two weeks after undergoing surgery in Saudi Arabia.

Leclerc acknowledges Sainz's superiority

While Charles Leclerc is currently third in the drivers' standings, only five points behind Red Bull's Sergio Perez and four points ahead of Sainz, the Monégasque has found himself overshadowed by his team-mate in recent outings.

Leclerc, previously known for his qualifying prowess, said in the press conference ahead of the Chinese GP:

"Carlos is simply working better than me, it's up to me to work now, especially for improving in qualifying, which was my strong point.

"I struggled to put together the flying lap more than Carlos did. He is riding at a very high level, and I think this is good for the team for me too.

"I've worked a lot on this aspect and normally when I work on an aspect, I'm quite confident that I'll improve quite quickly.

"So I'm not worried, but obviously now I have to prove it on the track starting from qualifying tomorrow."

READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE: Meet Germany's latest wunderkind aiming to build on Vettel's F1 legacy

Related

Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton set for HUGE New York moment after Ferrari disaster

• April 29, 2025 02:00

Michael Schumacher

F1 legend Michael Schumacher was told his 2010 return was 'pointless'

• April 27, 2025 03:00