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Charles Leclerc revealed he has opted for an “excessive route” with the set-up to extract extra pace out of the Ferrari SF-25.
Leclerc put collectively a superb lap on the Sakhir circuit on Saturday, simply three tenths down on McLaren’s polesitter Oscar Piastri, to qualify third for the Bahrain Grand Prix.
He’ll line up on the entrance row of the grid after Mercedes rival George Russell was penalised for coming into the pitlane earlier than the race management issued a restart time in Q2.
Leclerc’s tempo in qualifying got here as a shock to many, as Ferrari has normally been the fourth-fastest crew in F1 this yr.
The Prancing Horse had introduced a serious improve in Bahrain, altering 5 key areas on the automotive, however even then teammate Lewis Hamilton certified nearly a second off the tempo in ninth.
Leclerc defined that his set-up selection was key to his spectacular efficiency in qualifying, however admitted that such an excessive route comes with sure trade-offs.
“It was very tough as a result of I am working to fairly an excessive route in the previous couple of weekends by way of set-up,” he informed Sky.
“It matches my driving type but additionally makes it very, very difficult to drive, however it appears that evidently I can extract a bit extra out of the automotive getting into that route.
“So I will preserve going and, race after race, it appears to be getting higher and higher, in order that’s a constructive signal for the long run.
“But it surely makes it very tough. Some elements of qualifying, particularly with the used tyres, [the car] was simply in all places and it was very tough to place all the things collectively.
“So yeah that is why I stated I needed to belief the automotive once I was placing new tyres that all the things will come again and it did, so I am very completely satisfied about this.”
Leclerc may have simply Piastri’s McLaren forward of him on the grid, with each Lando Norris and Max Verstappen having struggled in qualifying on Saturday.
The Monegasque driver stated his goal is to seize the lead at first, however highlighted that monitor place will not be so essential on an overtake-friendly circuit reminiscent of Bahrain.
“To try to get forward of Oscar. That’s at all times the goal,” stated Leclerc.
“It’s an extended race. I do not assume it is these sort of races the place monitor place out of flip 3 is the primary precedence.
“Degradation might be the largest factor and McLaren appears to be forward on that for now.
“We have simply received to deal with ourselves. If I can achieve one or two positions at first, I will take it. If not, we’ll simply should play the affected person recreation and see the place we’re.”
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