Leclerc explains why British Grand Prix is ‘not a weekend where we expect to be particularly strong’

Charles Leclerc has admitted that the high number of straights at Silverstone are unlikely to play to Ferrari’s strengths, warning that the team don’t “expect to be particularly strong” across the weekend.

The Monegasque has struggled for form in recent rounds, with crashes, issues and a lack of pace leading to him scoring just four points in the last three events – that was thanks to a P8 finish in the Austrian Grand Prix, which was a disappointing result after starting on the front row of the grid.

Leclerc's hopes are subsequently low for this weekend’s British Grand Prix, which his team mate Lewis Hamilton has won a record nine times. Leclerc has never stood on the top step at Silverstone, and believes that Ferrari’s weaknesses on such a track layout will limit his performance once again.

“It's a Sprint weekend which I quite enjoy, but at the same time, it's not a weekend where we expect to be particularly strong,” he said on Thursday's media day. “I think for the same reasons [as] Austria where there were quite a lot of straights.

“Here it's a lot more straights, not that many corners to recover energy, so I expect a difficult weekend on our side. Unfortunately, the next two weekends on paper are not very favourable to our car but we'll try our best.

“I've been working very hard over the last couple of weeks. The Saturday of Austria was a lot better. On Sunday in the race we were not so strong as a team and I struggled with a few things as well so I just keep working, keep my head down and I hope that better days will come.”

Asked to elaborate on why there was such a drop-off over the weekend in Austria, Leclerc added: “Honestly, a bit of what I was saying for this track. I think on the Thursday I was still sceptical. I think the biggest surprise was more the Saturday than the Sunday.

“In a way, the Saturday gave us hope for the Sunday but before the weekend we kind of expected to be struggling in the straights. On the Saturday we were very strong in corners so that compensated that but on the Sunday when you need to tyre manage, then the straight line speed was even more important and we were struggling.”

On a day when Ferrari found tyre management challenging, Leclerc was unable to keep up with his rivals at the Red Bull Ring and gradually dropped down the order, ultimately crossing the line 45s behind race winner George Russell.

It was a harsh contrast to their superior pace and strategy at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, where Hamilton claimed his maiden victory with the team, but Leclerc explained that they are aware they have plenty to target to fix their inconsistent form.

“Honestly, it’s in every single area,” he said of the team's difficulties. “Personally, there's a feeling that just doesn't stack up exactly, so I put a bit more importance on some areas, but I'll say it's as a whole to try and understand and find some performance.

“In Austria it was a very good Saturday, a less good Sunday, and for that reason we have a lot of work to do. However, for this weekend I think where we'll be lacking is [due to] something we don't have a solution for, which is the power unit, but I'll keep my head down and try to maximise everything.”