Charles Leclerc admitted he underestimated McLaren’s strong straight-line speed after the team adopted a “controversial” rear wing design at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
Last weekend in Baku, Leclerc looked to win the race from pole position after building a six-second lead in the opening stint.
However, Leclerc’s chances were dashed when he was undercut by Oscar Piastri during his pit stop and overtaken on lap 20.
Leclerc admitted after the race that he chose not to cover the inside line into Turn 1 because he thought he had a chance to reclaim the spot.
Leclerc said that neither he nor Ferrari expected the McLaren MCL38 package to be so quick in a straight line, which is why his attempt fell short.
“It was a good move,” Leclerc told the media.
“But when I saw him coming by on the inside, I knew he was there. I knew he had a chance to get past, but I wasn’t too worried about it.”
“I knew he had a chance to get to the front, but at the same time I was in the early stages of warming up my tyres and didn’t want to put too much strain on them.”
“So, in terms of being on the defensive, we didn’t want to get off to a reckless start.”
“But that was a mistake. Obviously his straight-line speed was very strong and from then on I never had a chance to pass him again.”
Leclerc, who finished second, claims there was nothing Ferrari could have done to overcome McLaren’s slight top speed advantage.
“I don’t think there was anything I could have done in attack. I could have defended better.”
“But then again, I didn’t realise how fast they were on the straights after that.”
Charles Leclerc went further in his comments to Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur.Leclerc calls McLaren’s rear wing ‘controversial’
McLaren’s improved straight-line speed sparked much discussion after the race, as the rear-facing camera on Piastri’s car captured some interesting behaviour.
The upper part of the McLaren MCL38’s rear wing appears to reduce drag by flexing on straights, and the device has been dubbed ‘mini DRS’ in the paddock.
McLaren insists the mechanism is legal and has passed the relevant static load tests, but F1 rivals are seeking clarification on how much the part is allowed to flex.
The FIA said it would review the events in Baku ahead of this weekend’s Singapore Grand Prix to determine whether intervention was necessary.
Leclerc said there had been discussions within Ferrari on the controversial topic, but left the team’s stance to team principal Frederic Vasseur.
“Yes, definitely discussions are already taking place,” Leclerc said when asked about McLaren’s thoughts on the rear wing.
“I mean, I’m sure Fred can explain it in a bit more detail, but from what I’ve heard, it’s controversial to say the least.”
“So, I’ll leave it at that, but Fred will probably comment in more detail.”
Category: F1 / Charles Leclerc / Scuderia Ferrari
