Charles Leclerc has offered hope that Ferrari could take the fight to Max Verstappen in Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix.
Verstappen has maintained his imperious form during Miami’s Sprint weekend so far, topping every session, and will be aiming to follow up his win over Leclerc in Saturday’s short-form Sprint in Sunday’s 57-lap main race.
But on a weekend in which the whole field – including Verstappen – has struggled for consistency with tyre performance around Miami’s street track, Leclerc is taking heart from the fact he finished relatively close to the world champion during the 19-lap Sprint when he was within two seconds of the Red Bull for most of the race.
Sunday’s race is live on Sky Sports F1 and starts at 9pm, with build-up from 7.30pm.
“He is very strong obviously, as always, coming in to race day,” Leclerc said of polesitter Verstappen, who heads the F1 grid for the seventh race in succession.
“This morning [in the Sprint] we were close. He was saying he wasn’t happy with the car so let’s see how happy he is with the car [in the grand prix]. I hope he’s still a little bit unhappy and that we can put him under pressure.
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Highlights of the Sprint from the Miami GP
“We did some steps forward compared to this morning, they did too, but if we get the DRS after the first lap I think we can maybe stay with him.”
In the post-qualifying press conference, Leclerc added: “In the Sprint, we were closer to what we normally see. We need to see how much of a step forward he does but we also need some fine-tuning on our side.
“If we have a similar pace to the Sprint, with strategy we can put on some pressure.”
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Highlights of qualifying for the Miami Grand Prix
Ferrari’s quest to beat Red Bull for just the second time in six races this season could be aided by the fact that Leclerc and team-mate Carlos Sainz, who qualified third, start between Red Bull pair Verstappen and Sergio Perez, who will line up fourth.
“I think when Max starts in front, it’s always difficult to find ways to beat him but having two cars is our best possible bet,” said Sainz, the only driver to beat Verstappen in the past 25 races.
“Obviously if you look at the last statistics, it will be extremely difficult, but we will give it our best shot.”
More to follow…
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Despite claiming pole, Max Verstappen described qualifying as unpredictable after several drivers on the grid struggled with grip
Sky Sports F1’s live Miami GP schedule
Sunday May 5
6.05pm: F1 Academy Race 2
7.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday Miami GP build-up*
9pm: The MIAMI GRAND PRIX*
11pm: Chequered Flag: Miami GP reaction*
Midnight: Ted’s Notebook*
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
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