In the lead-up to the Monaco Grand Prix, local hero Charles Leclerc was seldom positive about Ferrari’s chances. After an inconsistent race weekend in Imola, the Monegasque did not expect to repeat his 2024 stunt. However, the first two free practice sessions offered much perspective – in both cases, Leclerc topped the time sheets. Despite these encouraging results, he still thinks it’s too early to be positive.
“Perhaps we are more competitive than we thought, but let me start by saying that I am not yet convinced,” Charles Leclerc responded after the test sessions in Monaco. “I think Friday in Monaco always remains special – it’s so specific to each driver. Everyone mainly looks at their own frame of reference. That’s why it’s too early to be positive about the weekend. However, I must admit that Friday has been very positive for us. I have a reasonably good feeling about the car.”
Comfortable
“It all didn’t start the way I wanted because of that crash with Lance Stroll,” Leclerc admitted. In the hairpin turn at the Fairmont hotel, the Ferrari driver hit the Aston Martin of the Canadian. The incident resulted in a one-place grid penalty for Stroll. Leclerc emphasized that qualifying is still crucial in Monaco, although the mandatory double pit stop also offers opportunities for new strategic moves.
Regarding the return of the C6 compound, the 27-year-old driver is cautiously positive – his Ferrari performed well on all three tires. “The pace over one lap was strong,” Leclerc concluded. “No matter which tire we were on, I felt quite comfortable. In addition, the lap times were quite fast, so that’s always a good sign. However, qualifying here remains crucial; we really need to start at the front if we hope for a good result.”
