– Despite many updates at Ferrari, Charles Leclerc does not expect a major turnaround at the Scuderia. Especially Mercedes is, from the Monegasque’s point of view, too far away for an attack on the top.
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This weekend, the Scuderia has no less than eleven updates in tow. Due to the forced break between the Japanese Grand Prix and the Miami Grand Prix, not only the Italians but numerous teams have prepared a lot of new parts.
“Seeing so many updates at so many different teams will be very unusual,” said Leclerc. “Since we had a five-week break, I am sure that we will basically see new cars from most of them here.”
Nevertheless, the 28-year-old does not yet see major changes in the balance of power: “Maybe we will see bigger or smaller gaps between the teams, but I don’t know.”
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“Last weekend we were close to McLaren, so I think the updates should help us here. At least I hope so.”
No duel with Mercedes
Leclerc still sees Mercedes as the unreachable class leader. “To fight Mercedes only with our updates, they are still too far away,” said Leclerc. “But I think it will be very interesting.”
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In the Constructors’ Championship, Mercedes is in first place with 135 points, followed by Ferrari with 90 and McLaren-Mercedes with 45 points.
Especially with a view to the rest of the season, Leclerc sees Miami as a decisive weekend:
“I think [the updates] will determine what happens after [the weekend]. A new direction in development will be taken and new things will be tried based on the analysis of what the other teams have brought.”
Miami is a special Grand Prix not only because of the previous spring break. After all, a sprint weekend is planned in Florida. The duration of the first free practice was increased from 60 to 90 minutes due to this constellation. In addition, we may face a literal thunderstorm on Sunday, which could torpedo the main race.
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Regarding potential weather caprices, teammate Lewis Hamilton is very relaxed. “I tested for two days in the rain at Fiorano, and I hope that prepares me well for Sunday in case of a shower,” said the seven-time world champion. Whether the race would actually start in such a case is another question.
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