Charles Leclerc is relieved with his starting position for the Chinese Grand Prix. The Ferrari driver qualified fourth, just thirteen thousandths behind his teammate Lewis Hamilton. “It is quite unique that I am satisfied with fourth place,” said Leclerc.
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After a second position during the sprint race, Charles Leclerc is happy with this result in Shanghai. “This circuit is always incredibly difficult for me, but I am close to Lewis. He is very strong on this circuit. I am satisfied with my lap and this feels like a typical weekend where Lewis has just done very well,” Leclerc told the paddock in China.
‘Special in qualifying’
Leclerc noticed that qualifying with the new cars is different than before. “These cars are special in qualifying. In the past, one of my strongest points was that I took huge risks in the third part of qualifying to get just that little bit extra out of a lap. Now you have to take the engine and energy systems into account, which causes you to lose more time than you gain. Consistent laps now yield more,” the Monegasque explained.
Leclerc is satisfied with his position and shows that he has the new car under control. “I had the feeling that my rhythm was constant throughout qualifying. In Q3 it felt a bit less spectacular because you can’t push as hard as you want. In the end, it paid off. I am close to the men in front of me.” Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell hold the front row.
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‘There wasn’t more in it’
Shanghai doesn’t quite suit Leclerc, as he was disqualified last year and finished the race fourth the year before. “It is unique for me to say that I am happy with fourth place. I have tried everything – different setups, driving styles – but this circuit remains difficult. This position is not great, but I also don’t think there was much more in it,” said the Ferrari driver.
For the race, Leclerc still sees opportunities, as Ferrari finished in second and third place during the sprint race. “The early phase of the race is very chaotic, so it doesn’t really matter whether you are on the first or second row of the grid. Mercedes is very strong and they have an advantage of three to four tenths with a full tank. Only at the beginning of the race do we seem to be a bit more flexible in how we can use the energy. I hope I can win,” Leclerc concluded.
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Read everything about the Chinese GP here
