Leclerc casts doubt on Ferrari catching leading F1 group in 2024

Charles Leclerc has cast doubt on whether Ferrari can catch back up to the leading pack in Formula 1 in 2024 amid its sizeable one-lap deficit at the Dutch Grand Prix.

Ferrari came into Zandvoort expecting an arduous weekend as a consequence of the misstep in development that has undone its encouraging opening to the season.

That proved to be the case as Carlos Sainz was eliminated in Q2, while Leclerc propped up sixth and over nine-tenths behind McLaren’s Lando Norris on pole position.

Asked whether Ferrari’s speed under single lap conditions demonstrated where it is at the moment, Leclerc told media including Motorsport Week: “Unfortunately it is.

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“The lap was good and we are nine-tenths off unfortunately on such a short track, it’s a lot, it’s too much.

“Yeah as a team we are aware that we are lacking performance, we are working flat out.

“Unfortunately, I am repeating myself too much in the last few months, but that is the reality we are in at the moment.

“We are doing absolutely everything to close that gap as soon as possible which hopefully the upgrades that we are bringing to the car as soon as possible will help us to close the gap.”

But based on the huge margin between Leclerc and Norris, the Monegasque has conceded that Ferrari’s upcoming upgrades might not be enough to catch McLaren.

“There is a roadmap. When I see a gap like today, nine-tenths, it’s a lot and I’m not so sure we have that until the end of the season but let’s wait and see,” he stated.

“I also think a track like this doesn’t fit our car and the gap is probably bigger than what we will see on other tracks with the same car.

“So today it’s particularly we have struggled, but I hope that from Monza onwards we will be in a better place.”

Ferrari’s campaign started to unravel when updates introduced in Spain triggered recurring bouncing at high speed which has hampered its development programme.

The marque has since implemented a revised floor which has tempered the problem, but Leclerc has disclosed Ferrari is still unable to optimise the SF-24’s potential.

“We don’t have much bouncing at the moment, but we also can’t optimise the car the way we want for now. But hopefully this will be fixed soon,” he added.

Leclerc is not anticipating the Maranello-based squad’s prospects to improve in race trim and instead has his sights set on Lewis Hamilton coming through from 12th.

“The hopes are… not so high! I think P6 is the best we can do on a weekend like this,” he concluded.

“Lewis will be very strong with the race pace he has he might come back but for us we don’t have enough race pace to do anything better.

“But if there is the opportunity to do so il try and take it.”