Leclerc doesn't fear Mercedes yet: 'It's between Red Bull and Ferrari'

He experiences the improvements to the car as "very positive," he indicated in an interview with Le Gazzette de Monaco. "They helped us to perform better. Everything worked as we expected," the Ferrari driver explains. Especially in the area of tire degradation, the Scuderia had something to catch up with Red Bull Racing.

However, Leclerc remains cautious in his enthusiasm. "Yes, we had less degradation, but after one race it is still a bit premature to say if it really works. One thing is for sure: we have taken a step in the right direction," he continued.

Leclerc expects little opposition from Mercedes for now

Team boss Mattia Binotto recently downplayed Mercedes' chances for the championship, after the German racing stable made clear strides in the Spanish Grand Prix. Leclerc concurs with his boss's words and does not expect serious competition from Mercedes at this point. "I think it will be more between Red Bull and Ferrari," he notes.

This coming weekend, Leclerc hopes to break the curse that seems to rest on him there at his home race in Monaco. Even outside of Formula 1, he was recently hit by bad luck in what was little more than a demonstration run.