Charles Leclerc, Monegasque driver for the Ferrari team, believes that the idea that Ferrari is the favorite in the Canadian Grand Prix of Formula 1 is simply a tactic employed by their competitors to relieve pressure on themselves. Leclerc, who recently clinched victory in Monaco, is currently trailing Max Verstappen of Red Bull by 31 points in the championship standings. Due to the similarities between the Monaco Circuit and the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Montreal, Leclerc is optimistic that his car can perform well in Canada. The Ferrari car, the SF-24, has proven to handle bumps and curbs better than other cars this season, and the upcoming race in Montreal also favors a more adaptable car. Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko and McLaren’s Lando Norris acknowledge Ferrari’s potential as the main competitor in dry conditions. However, Leclerc understands that these predictions are common in Formula 1, as people try to shift attention away from themselves. Leclerc refuses to declare Ferrari as the absolute favorite and believes it is a game of passing responsibility to the next competitor. The true picture will only be revealed when the cars hit the track.
Leclerc believes that the difference between the three main teams now is so small that the result will depend on which team performs better throughout the weekend. He emphasizes that the competition is so fierce that it is difficult to point out Ferrari as the favorite, even on tracks like Montreal. Verstappen, on the other hand, is cautious about Red Bull’s chances in Canada, as Monaco highlighted their long-standing issue on bumpy circuits. Leclerc agrees that Montreal may not favor Red Bull’s strengths, presenting an opportunity for Ferrari. However, he acknowledges that McLaren and Red Bull will still be strong competitors, so Ferrari must make the most of every opportunity. Leclerc also highlights the importance of Ferrari maximizing their potential, citing last year’s wet qualifying session as an example. He mentions that, although they performed well in the race, starting from a lower position hindered their chances of victory. With rain forecasted for this weekend, Leclerc is aware that the little experience of driving the 2024 cars in wet conditions could change the order.
