Charles Leclerc issues Ferrari rally call: 'Others not on vacation'

Charles Leclerc has highlighted the importance of the development race in the ongoing F1 season, insisting upgrades will be crucial to the outcome of the campaign.

The sport has gone through a major regulation shift this year, with major changes to both the power unit and aerodynamics.

Mercedes has emerged from the gates with the fastest package, winning the opening three rounds of the year.

While Ferrari has been unable to consistently compete against the Brackley-based squad, it has secured a podium finish at every round so far.

However, Leclerc insisted Ferrari is far from satisfied with its current position.

“This championship is going to be all about development and the upgrades that each team is going to bring,” Leclerc told media including RacingNews365.

“For now, we are in an okay-ish place, but of course we’re not here to only do podiums and we want to win races, which at the moment seems very difficult because Mercedes is at a very high level.”

The season will resume in Miami at the end of April, where a plethora of upgrades are anticipated as teams continue to develop their new cars.

While Leclerc is confident Ferrari has updates in the pipeline, the Monegasque is aware that the other teams will not be sitting still.

“We are working very hard and especially the people back at the factory are working extremely hard to bring upgrades as soon as possible,” he said.

“I know there are quite a few things coming up soon. 

“Whether this is going to make the difference or not, I don’t know, and I’m pretty sure the others are not on vacation either, so it’s going to be tough.”