Ferrari braced for “difficult” F1 British Grand Prix

Charles Leclerc says he expects Ferrari to continue to struggle at this weekend’s Formula 1 British Grand Prix.

Ferrari trails Racing Point and McLaren in the constructors’ championship following the opening three rounds of 2020.

It has struggled for engine power and straight-line speed in the early part of the season, often languishing at the bottom of the speed traps.

Silverstone consists of high-speed corners and long straights, which are not expected to suit Ferrari's car.

“I think we expect two quite difficult weekends on paper though, but I always like to try and be optimistic, so I’ll have the same mindset. going into the weekend, but realistically I think it will be difficult,” Leclerc said.

Leclerc struggled for pace relative to team-mate Sebastian Vettel in Hungary, but the Monegasque has downplayed suggestions he's struggling to adapt to this year's Ferrari.

“I think every car and every year it’s different and you need to adapt a little bit your driving style,” Leclerc added. “The first races in Austria I felt quite good with the car. In Hungary, I did a mistake with the way I wanted the car for qualifying but it was actually alright for the race. 

“At the end you always see a few things you could change to get better but overall I had not many problems adapting to it.”

Vettel also expects to struggle this weekend, but was more hopeful the variables in play at any race weekend would give Ferrari a chance of fighting closer to the podium - as it did in Hungary.

“I think on paper it is not the track where we should be strongest with the current package that we have but then we are here to race, I think I always look forward to be on the grid and what we can do.

“There’s always decisions that need to be taken during the race, strategy and so it doesn’t look like rain for this weekend but we are in the UK so we never know, it’s probably where rain was born! I guess we are the underdog but maybe we can still have a good fight.”