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After a stunning victory in Austin, Charles Leclerc is preparing for what he expects to be a challenging race in Mexico City. During Saturday’s qualifying session, the Ferrari driver had to concede to his two main rivals and teammate Carlos Sainz. Securing fourth position, Leclerc acknowledged that he didn’t feel at his best in Mexico. As he heads into Sunday’s race, he will primarily need to rely on the race pace of his Ferrari.
Preparations for Mexico
“I wasn’t on my game at all,” lamented Charles Leclerc after qualifying, speaking to Sky Sports. “I struggled during the second free practice. As soon as I got into the car, something felt off.” The Monegasque driver had given up his Ferrari for rookie Oliver Bearman during the first practice session, which hampered his preparation for the crucial qualifying rounds. “I wasn’t competitive in the third practice and carried that into qualifying,” he added, displaying a rather gloomy outlook.
Qualifying Performance
“The fourth position was the best I could manage today,” he explained. For a moment, it looked like he might challenge teammate Carlos Sainz for pole position, but a slight error in the final sector cost him precious time. While this result was no big revelation for Leclerc, he remains hopeful about showcasing his capabilities in the race. “The race pace we demonstrated during practice gives me hope,” he noted, although he admitted starting from fourth will not be straightforward.
Track Conditions
Several drivers have voiced concerns regarding the lack of grip at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. The relatively ‘dirty’ asphalt presents a significant challenge for completing clean laps. “I generally struggle more on tracks with low grip,” Leclerc confessed, referencing past issues he faced in Monza. Surprisingly enough, he clinched victory in Italy on Sunday despite those earlier setbacks. Naturally, he hopes to pull off another surprise in Mexico. “I have complete faith in our race pace,” he concluded. “However, I’ll need a strong start to capitalize on it.”
Championship Implications
Leclerc can take comfort in knowing that Ferrari is positioned well for a possible comeback in the Constructors’ Championship. With both McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Red Bull’s Sergio Pérez outside the top fifteen, there is a good chance that Scuderia Ferrari could accumulate the most points. Currently, Ferrari is just eight points behind Red Bull, while McLaren holds a lead of forty-eight points. This scenario presents Ferrari with an excellent opportunity to enhance their standings as they strive for top positions in the championship.
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