Charles Leclerc hands Ferrari warning over unmissable 'advantage'

Charles Leclerc has admitted he is not expecting Ferrari to maintain its race start advantage across the F1 season.

The strength of Ferrari's ability to launch off the line with haste was first noticed during pre-season testing.

Its advantage was truly realised at the opening round of the campaign last weekend in Australia, where, starting from fourth on the grid, Leclerc found himself in first place before the first corner.

It's an area Ferrari has undoubtedly prevailed over its rivals at the start of a new regulation cycle - but Leclerc does not think it will last.

“Unfortunately, I don't think we're going to keep that advantage,” Leclerc told media including RacingNews365.

“Whenever the engines are all run in the optimal window, I don't think there's going to be that much difference between cars at the start. 

“We have an advantage in terms of robustness of our system, whereas we seem to get into that optimal window a little bit easier compared to others, and especially Mercedes. 

“But once Mercedes know how to put themselves in the optimal window, I don't think there will be that much difference between the cars.

“I don't expect them to take long before knowing how to put themselves in the optimal window. 

“I don't think that this will be an advantage that lasts in the season.”

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F1 drivers 'expected' Australia start chaos

Further down in the pack in Melbourne, a near-miss occurred between Liam Lawson and Franco Colapinto when the former was slow to move off the line.

It was a fear raised on the build-up to the new season as the drivers struggled to adapt to the new power units.

But Leclerc suggested that the rapid lights-out procedure seen in Melbourne may have also played a role in the different starting speeds.

“As expected, this first race of the season was very eventful. There were many, many things happening,” he said.

“We kind of expected it. It's also true that we are starting on probably one of the worst tracks of the season for energy management.

“If you add to the start that, I think the lights went off the quickest that I have been in F1 as well, that made everything a lot trickier than it already is. 

“This is the second race weekend, we already have a sprint weekend, so it's not the easiest and smoothest start of the season. 

“Before taking a big decision, we need to wait maybe [for] races where it's a little bit more in the norm for the rest of the season and then judge.

“I think already this weekend should be in a much healthier place for everybody.”