Charles Leclerc has backed Ferrari to bounce back from the disappointment of the Spanish Grand Prix, saying he believes the quick identification of the issue that ruined his race has given him plenty of confidence. Leclerc was leading the race in Barcelona with ease, having pulled away consistently to over 10 seconds clear during the first half of the event. However, he slowed with a problem on Lap 27, and was forced to pull into the pits and retire. Ferrari have since revealed that Leclerc has lost an MGU-H and turbocharger from his pool, and that grid penalties are quite likely for the Monegasque due to the fact that just three of each component are permitted for use during a season. Despite this, Leclerc says the fact that the team have figured out the issue – which they believe isn't caused by a design or manufacturing flaw – has given him confidence that it won't happen again. "I think the team knows where it's coming from," Leclerc said of the problem, when asked by media including RacingNews365.com , on Thursday in Monaco. "So this gives me the confidence that it won't happen again, then whether it will or not – I don't know. I hope not. "The goal is obviously for it to not happen again, but the fact that we identified the issue is already a step forward and I'm fully confident that the team is doing the right job for it to not happen again."
Leclerc pleased with Ferrari's approach to updates
With Ferrari rolling out updates for the Spanish race, their first significant upgrade package of the season, Leclerc said the calm, measured approach the Scuderia have taken to car updates has proven itself to be the correct path at this point of the year. "I think the start that we had to the season shows that we've done the right choices," he explained. "Of course, there's been a few races that we have optimised the package a little bit more but, whenever we brought something, it went in the right direction. "I've said it many times, but in F1, it is not always a given to put something on the car and to have exactly what you expected before putting it on the car. "For us, it's all well. We've seen the benefits of it in Barcelona. Unfortunately, we couldn't finalise it for the reasons we know. "But this gives me the confidence that we've got the right approach and that we are working in the right direction too, which is a good sign for the championship."
No Monaco pressure for Leclerc
Leclerc heads into his home race in Monte Carlo under increased pressure, given his toppling from the top of the Drivers' Championship, as well as having to face his Monaco 'curse' – he's yet to finish the Monaco Grand Prix during his F1 career. "No, I honestly don't feel the pressure," he commented, when asked whether he's feeling the intensity of the title fight escalating. "I'm just really happy to be here, to be back on this amazing track. I love it here and, obviously, it's a very special event for me having grown up here – these roads I know so well since being born! "So there's no added pressure. I know that the performance is in the car for us to do a great result this weekend. I just have to get into the car, do the job and, hopefully, the result will be there at the end of the weekend."
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