The Scuderia driver has seen his title bid take a significant hit in the past few race weekends, sustaining a power unit failure in Baku and taking a penalty in Canada that saw him start at the back of the grid.
That has left Leclerc with a huge disadvantage in the championship chase – now 49 points behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen – and his attempts to improve this weekend come amid increased competition.
Mercedes appear to have bounced back after their troubles in the earlier stages of the season, while Leclerc’s team-mate Carlos Sainz also seems to have found his rhythm – pushing Verstappen all the way in Montreal before securing a first pole position for Sunday’s race at Silverstone .
While Leclerc is delighted for Sainz and made it clear the team come first, he hinted he expects Ferrari to make a strategic call for the race win if the opportunity materializes.
“If I’m happy to help Carlos to win his first race tomorrow? I think of course, I will be very happy if Carlos wins the race tomorrow, but I’m not going to hide that I want to win, too,” Leclerc told a news conference.
Didn’t put the lap in when I needed to. Shame because the last lap was good but it happens, tomorrow is the race and performance is there to come back at the top.
Big congrats to @Carlossainz55 for his first pole position, fully deserved!! pic.twitter.com/97eyhehT3P
— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) July 2, 2022
“But I think what is most important is that we finished one-two, whatever way around it is, and if we can play strategic moves in between the cars, I’m pretty sure that we will.
“So, let’s see how it goes tomorrow. But again, I feel confident with the car. So, let’s wait and see.”
Dry running was restricted in the build-up to Sunday’s race, with qualifying a washout, but better weather is anticipated for the race, and Leclerc added he is confident with the car’s set-up.
“Much happier this morning, compared to yesterday. Yesterday, it was very, very difficult to put a lap together,” he said.
“But this morning, I felt quite confident with the car. So, yeah, I’m looking forward to the race tomorrow.”
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