Source: Official Team Post via X
Charles Leclerc Identifies Key Challenge at Sepang as Ferrari Evaluates Its Form
Charles Leclerc topped the timesheets in FP2 at Sepang but remains cautious about Ferrari's competitiveness. He points to tire degradation as the main issue, while acknowledging the strengths of rivals Red Bull and Mercedes.
Charles Leclerc might have led the second practice session at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, but he remains grounded about Ferrari's overall competitiveness. Despite a solid performance on Friday, Leclerc is quick to highlight Red Bull and Mercedes as the real threats this weekend.
Ferrari's early showing saw Leclerc finish fourth in FP1 and then top FP2, with teammate Lewis Hamilton also performing well. However, Leclerc doesn't believe Ferrari is leading the charge, citing tricky track conditions and the standout performances of Red Bull and Mercedes.
"It's been a tough day overall," Leclerc admitted. "The track was quite dirty and slippery. Things will change a lot from today to tomorrow, and we need to be on top of that. I felt good with the car, but Red Bull is standing out, and Mercedes is still figuring things out."
While Mercedes has been the team to beat in 2026, their performance in Sepang raises questions. George Russell and Kimi Antonelli struggled to set clean laps on soft tires, but Leclerc isn't ready to write them off. "They don't often get it wrong," he noted, confident that Mercedes will bounce back.
A significant challenge this weekend is tire degradation, which Leclerc labeled "insane" during FP1. As the Grand Prix approaches, he believes this will be the main focus. "Degradation will make the race interesting, and we need to be on top of that," Leclerc said. "We've had a productive day, but there's still work to do before Sunday."
Ferrari's Team Principal Fred Vasseur echoes Leclerc's thoughts, emphasizing the importance of managing tire wear. "For the first time in a while, we're focused more on degradation than anything else," Vasseur explained. "The conditions are extreme, and the track lacks grip, but it should improve. We need to be ready for tomorrow."
As Ferrari prepares for the weekend, the team remains vigilant about the challenges ahead, particularly with tire management being crucial in Sepang's demanding conditions.