Charles Leclerc has highlighted the Qatar Grand Prix as the “most difficult” obstacle remaining to Ferrari’s endeavours to win the Formula 1 Constructors’ title in 2024.
Ferrari’s resurgence over the triple-header in the Americas – which included consecutive victories in Austin and Mexico – has reignited the team’s championship hopes.
The Italian marque managed to reduce its gap to McLaren to 36 points, with Red Bull having dropped to third amid Sergio Perez’s continued absence at the sharp end.
But with the previous round in Brazil showing McLaren appears to still hold a marginal edge, Ferrari has an uphill task to curtail a title drought that dates back to 2008.
The penultimate round in Qatar has been tipped as the place where Ferrari should expect to be on the back foot due to the venue’s emphasis on high-speed cornering.
Ferrari’s SF-24 package has proven to be weaker relative to its rivals in that regard, while McLaren has been dominant on circuits with similar characteristics this term.
Leclerc, who has taken three wins this season to sit third in the Drivers’ Championship, has admitted the Lusail International Circuit will be a damage-limitation outing.
“I think Qatar on paper is probably the most difficult weekend for us in the remaining ones,” Leclerc told media including Motorsport Week.
Ferrari has high hopes for Las Vegas
However, the Monegasque is hopeful that this weekend’s race in Las Vegas should be tailor-made to Ferrari’s strengths with extensive straights and slow-speed turns.
“I think Las Vegas should be a really good one for us and Abu Dhabi neutral,” Leclerc, who took pole on F1’s inaugural visit to the track 12 months ago, added.
Leclerc urges Ferrari to be attentive to minute details
Leclerc also highlighted that the slim margins at the top means Ferrari will have to be even more attentive to executing the minute details in the remaining three races.
“All in all, I come back to the point before that we really have to focus step by step,” he explained.
“It’s very fine details and sometimes this can make a big difference.”
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