After a close qualifying session for the Mexico City Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc lamented that he simply didn’t do a good enough job.
Leclerc led the first two practice sessions of the weekend, coming off a near-victory in Austin. The Monegasque believed that Ferrari held the momentum coming into Mexico. However, he was quick to deny claims that the Prancing Horses were a favourite.
In qualifying, it was clear that Leclerc would be in contention for pole, as would Lewis Hamilton. In the end, Hamilton put together a stronger lap, clinching pole over Leclerc and George Russell, who finished second.
The Monegasque was disappointed by his third place, telling the media, including Motorsport Week, after the session that he ‘just didn’t do a good enough job ‘.
“I just didn’t do a good enough job.” He said, “Yes, tyre preparation is quite key. I kind of struggled to have the same conditions for my out-lap throughout the qualifying. But at the end of the day, when I had a clean out-lap in Q3, run two, I didn’t do the job. So I can only be angry with myself.”
However, despite the initial frustration with his starting position, Leclerc was hopeful that he could be a contender in the race. In Austin, despite starting fourth, he quickly slipped into second and challenged for first.
“I think the pace is good. I think the car feels good and has felt good since FP1. So I think on that we’ve got the race pace, but I doubt there will be any overtakes tomorrow. I’ve tried more in FP2, and it’s just very difficult because the overtake mode doesn’t do much.”
Leclerc is focusing on the opening corners, telling the media that after Turn 3 the order is going to remain largely unchanged.
“So, I think whatever is the standing after Turn 3, it’s going to be very difficult then to overtake. So, it’s a bit of a shame that I didn’t do the job eventually when it mattered.”
With everyone desperate to get ahead in the first corners, the Ferrari drivers confessed that he’s going to try to keep their heads down and stay out of trouble.
“Yes, I mean, I’ll keep my head down as much as possible and see what’s possible. But, yes, it’s always an exciting Turn 1 there, and we’ll see how it goes.”
Altitude benefits
Previously, the Ferrari drivers have spoken about how altitude shifts affect the Power Unit, with the last few races altitude mitigating the difference between the teams’ power units. Leclerc said it’s left the car strong in the corners.
“Not much to add. I think we’ve got a very strong car in the corners. In the straight, we pay the price of less power, but also probably a bit more drag.
“With driving in such conditions, so high in altitude, you pay the price a little bit less in the straights of the extra drag and of the missing horsepower. So, yes, it’s been a good track.
“On paper, normally this year, we never really performed as we expected on the tracks we expected to be good. But this weekend has been the case, so it’s a good sign.”
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