Leclerc: Ferrari still hasn't reached McLaren's level.

      "What is the value of extended runs of three to five laps?"

      20 September 2025 - 09:44

      Ferrari has displayed impressive performance in Baku following Friday's practice, with Lewis Hamilton particularly optimistic after experiencing his best day with the team thus far. "After the summer break, Hamilton has adopted a different mindset," Ferrari ambassador Marc Gene shared with Sky Italia at the Azerbaijan GP. "He feels more at ease with the car, no longer pushing for more or complaining; he is in harmony with it. This is evident on track, where he exhibits greater speed and confidence."

      Both Ferrari drivers appeared competitive, stirring speculation about their potential for podium finishes or even victory. "It’s not wise to indulge in dreams; we must solely concentrate on ourselves," insisted team principal Frederic Vasseur. "The margins are tight, and Saturday will feature a tightly knit group. The race simulation also went very well." He cautioned against overanalyzing the data, questioning, "What is the significance of long runs of three to five laps?"

      Seven-time world champion Hamilton, who previously referred to himself as "useless" earlier in the season, expressed that it was "my best Friday practice" with Ferrari. "I’m incredibly thankful for the ongoing support from everyone in the team. The patience and assistance from those at the track and the factory give me strength," the 40-year-old remarked.

      Teammate Charles Leclerc was more measured, describing the pace as "good." "However, there’s a significant caveat—McLaren appears to be on another level," he pointed out. "Some will be very surprised tomorrow. Norris was unable to finish some laps that seemed quite impressive."

      Championship leader Oscar Piastri also moderated expectations, stating, "We possess the speed, but we can’t access it easily," as McLaren driver Norris made contact with the wall.

      At Red Bull, Dr. Helmut Marko remarked that Max Verstappen could have matched McLaren's pace had it not been for an error. "Realistically, we’re about one to one and a half tenths off the best time," he acknowledged. Verstappen concurred: "It was far from bad. The car feels good, which is encouraging."

      Marko continued, "We can demonstrate that Monza wasn’t a one-off. I believe we’ll qualify in the top three, which indicates we can also contend for victory. The momentum is in our favor, and the car now has a broader operating range, making setup easier. We’ve certainly made progress there."

      Former driver Alex Wurz told ORF: "McLaren will need to push hard against Ferrari and Mercedes, particularly in qualifying." Meanwhile, Norris chuckled at Red Bull’s subdued start. "Red Bull isn’t strong on Fridays. They go to sleep, wake up the next morning, and then they’re just fast again."