Charles Leclerc has admitted that he “by no means anticipated” his third-place end within the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, with the Monegasque left “very proud” after claiming his maiden podium of the season whereas additionally acknowledging that Ferrari nonetheless want to enhance in the event that they hope to affix the combat on the entrance.
Qualifying on Saturday had left Leclerc in a downbeat mood, the 27-year-old having voiced his disappointment at being unable to battle amongst the highest three – however, come Sunday, issues gave the impression to be going extra in his favour.
After choosing an extended opening stint on the medium tyres earlier than switching to the hards on Lap 30 of fifty, Leclerc finally ended up in third as soon as all the frontrunners had pitted and subsequently resisted stress from Lando Norris within the ultimate phases to carry onto the ultimate spot on the podium.
Quizzed afterwards on whether or not the tempo gave the impression to be there extra within the race than in Qualifying, the Scuderia driver responded: “It’s the way in which it’s for now sadly. In Qualifying we don’t handle to extract extra out of the automobile.