F1 News: Charles Leclerc Expresses Frustration Over Ferrari's Struggles - 'Not Competitive Enough'

Charles Leclerc is feeling let down by Ferrari's performance as he heads into the Dutch Grand Prix weekend.

After the second practice session, he acknowledged that the SF-24 car still hasn't bounced back from its mid-season struggles, leaving him doubtful about its ability to compete for a win.

Speaking to the media on Friday at Zandvoort, Leclerc said:

“It was tough, as expected.

“We don’t quite have the pace as the guys in front, unfortunately.

“I think it’s better than what it looks like on the timesheet at the end of the day but not quite in the fight for the win for sure.

“There’s still quite a lot of work to do for sure, that’s what we’re doing. I hope it will pay off soon.”

Ferrari had introduced updates for the Dutch Grand Prix in hopes of regaining lost performance, but both Leclerc and teammate Carlos Sainz faced significant challenges before the summer break, including issues with car bouncing.

Finishing ninth in FP2, Leclerc noted some improvements but emphasized they are not enough to keep pace with front-runners like Red Bull, McLaren, and Mercedes.

Looking ahead, Leclerc anticipates a tough weekend unless the expected severe weather allows Ferrari to capitalize on Saturday's conditions for a better starting position in the race.

He expressed hope for a standout performance in qualifying but recognized the gaps in speed that may hinder their chances.

He continued:

“I really hope so, I will try to do something special in qualifying but we are speaking of gaps at the moment that are a bit too big to do something special.

“If we manage to get within two or three-tenths, maybe there’s something to be done. If not, I predict a difficult weekend for us.”

As the season progresses, Leclerc is also mindful of the upcoming changes within the team, with Sainz set to leave for Williams and Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari next season.

Despite their competitive rivalry on the track, Leclerc reflected on the strong friendship he shares with Sainz, highlighting their mutual respect and camaraderie throughout their time together.

Speaking on the Beyond The Grid podcast, he said:

"I will miss Carlos, the person. We get along very well. Unfortunately, in this world everything is over-analyzed and over-criticised, but we have always had a really good relationship.

"There are times, with the helmet on, when I have hated him and he has hated me, because we have not seen things in the same way. Then, everything is fixed by talking to each other."

He then added:

"We share a lot of interest and we have lived moments that I will remember forever."