Charles Leclerc offers Ferrari boost after Barcelona surprise

Charles Leclerc has admitted surprise over the pace of Ferrari's car during Friday practice in Barcelona.

Leclerc ended the second practice session in fifth place as Ferrari got its preparations underway at an event it has failed to win in the turbo-hybrid era.

The Monegasque has arrived in Barcelona boosted by a podium on home soil last weekend, where he bagged his second top three of the year.

As Ferrari chase another visit to the podium, Leclerc highlighted he is expecting to find more pace overnight to add to his positive start.

“It was okay - it’s very, very warm so that makes it a bit trickier on track,” Leclerc said. “The grip is not what we want, but it hasn’t been too bad.

“Honestly, it’s been a bit more positive than what we expected coming here, so that’s good.

“There is more performance in the car which I hope we can unlock for qualifying.

“There is still quite a bit of work to be done. But I don’t think we are too far out. We’ll focus on a few areas tonight, and let’s see.”

With a new technical directive in place from this weekend directed at a clampdown of flexing front wings, Leclerc suggested it had little impact behind the wheel.

“Very quickly we adapt and we’ve got other tools in the car to try and simulate something similar [to before],” Norris said.

“I think all of the teams have this as well, so for now, not so much.”