Charles Leclerc highlights 'strange' Ferrari-Mercedes battle

Charles Leclerc has stated Ferrari's season has been “opposite” to Mercedes despite their close proximity in the constructors' championship.

Mercedes currently sit second in the standings, 16 points ahead of Ferrari - both squads have a large deficit to leaders McLaren.

Ferrari is yet to win a race this year, while Mercedes took to the top step of the podium last time out in Canada through George Russell.

Highlighting the different strengths and weaknesses of both teams, Leclerc detailed the two cars have polarising traits.

“It's strange, because we've got very opposite issues,” Leclerc told media including RacingNews365.

“I feel like they are strong in qualifying, they are struggling in a race. We are weak in qualifying and we are strong in the race.

“So at the moment, it's whoever is the first to find what's going on in the session [in which] we are not going well will win that battle.

“I feel like maybe Mercedes is a little bit more up and down compared to us. 

“We've been consistently more or less at the same distance to the guys in front. 

“Mercedes has had their very good weekends and also their weekends where they've been particularly poor.”

With a gap of almost 200 points to McLaren, a significant effort will be needed from both teams in the second half of the season to usurp the Woking-based squad from the head of the standings.

As Ferrari look to ensure it stays ahead of the rest of its rivals, Leclerc highlighted the key decider will be upgrades.

“We are doing some small steps in the right direction,” he added. 

“I think eventually, what will dictate who will win is the updates, the upgrades that we are going to bring.

“I don't have any answers for now on how I think we'll go with those.”