Charles Leclerc makes Ferrari demand after confirming new upgrade plan

Charles Leclerc has stated Ferrari has more F1 upgrades in the pipeline, but insisted they must be “perfect” if it is to get involved in the fight at the front of the field.

The Maranello-based squad entered the new season hoping to be a front-runner under the new technical regulations.

However, it has only been able to challenge at race starts, often surging past Mercedes, which has struggled off the line before reasserting its dominance later in the race.

Ferrari introduced an upgrade in Miami last weekend but endured its most difficult outing of the season so far.

However, Leclerc insisted this was not due to a lack of performance from the new package.

“The upgrade package is working,” Leclerc told media including RacingNews365.

“The thing is, others are pushing as well, and probably the upgrade package was a little bit better. 

“We've got other things coming soon, and hopefully that will help us to get back a little bit in front. 

“It's fine details, but with this generation of cars, especially in the first year, it will all be about the development. 

“So we have to make sure we do everything perfect in terms of development.”

As it waits to return to the top step of the podium, Leclerc denied that it has become a habit for Ferrari to fall away in pace as the race wears on.

“I don't think it's a pattern, but let's wait a few more races and understand if it is,” he said.

“But I don't have that feeling.”