However, Charles Leclerc also warned that pre-season speed means nothing at this point and Ferrari still have work to do.
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Charles Leclerc is feeling ‘reasonably good’ ahead of the 2022 Formula 1 season due to Ferrari’s showings in pre-season testing at Barcelona.
The Ferrari F1 team logged the most number of laps during the three-day testing at Barcelona; Leclerc and teammate Carlos Sainz managed a total 439 laps at the Circuit de Catalunya.
What’s more, Leclerc even topped the timesheets once during the second day of testing. Little wonder then that the Scuderia driver is feeling bullish as the season draws nearer.
“Well, I’m feeling reasonably good,” Leclerc said after the pre-season testing had concluded.
“I mean, we’ve done all the tests that we’ve wanted to do, which was the most important thing we wanted to do during this test – doing as much mileage as we could – and we did, without major problems.
“So it’s a positive first test for this, and in terms of performance, nothing to say for now.”
However, Leclerc also warned that pre-season speed means nothing at this point. It is a valid point to make, and one Ferrari fans will be all too familiar with.
The Maranello-based side were on the pace in 2019 pre-season testing but ended up having a poor season; indeed, it was one that began their downslide in 2020, one they’re still recovering from.
Leclerc was happy about Barcelona testing, but by his own admission is only now focused on the second round of tests in Bahrain.
“On the other hand, I think we are working harder than ever to just try and keep our heads down. It’s of course always nice to see yourselves P1, but it doesn’t mean anything.
Also read: Too early to judge performance – Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto
“I think everyone is aware of this in the team. So, yes, we are not really focusing on the performance at all; we are just focusing on ourselves. Now we are already focused on Bahrain.”
Indeed, Ferrari’s Racing Director – Head of Track Area Mekies expects an ‘intense fight’ at Sakhir.
“For [the drivers], it was a useful warm-up before what will be a long and intense season, getting used to procedures such as the pit stops and, for the various crews that make up the team, to all be back working together again and interacting well with our drivers,” said Mekies.
“We still have a lot of work ahead of us and we can expect an intense fight, so everyone has many items on their job list now.
“It’s only the first step of a long year, when we intend to push very hard, working all together.”
