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Leclerc: Ferrari's F1 rivals are 'sandbagging' in testing

Charles Leclerc believes Ferrari's Formula 1 rivals have been "sandbagging" in pre-season testing at Barcelona.

Mercedes and Red Bull have not threatened the top of the leaderboard across the first three days of the first test, although Mercedes has increased its performance so far on Thursday.

Leclerc helped Ferrari top the first two days of the test but, after lapping a tenth slower than Lewis Hamilton on the final morning, said he thought the team's rivals are still holding back.
 
"The performance has no sense for now because it's testing, they are not pushing and we are not either," he said.

"We don't know how much the others are sandbagging. So, we'll see at the first race.

"The main importance for this test is to do the programme of the day and that's what we're doing, so we're happy."

Leclerc's team-mate Sebastian Vettel said at the start of the week that Ferrari had almost achieved "perfection" with its swift start to testing.

That strong start has also led Mercedes' Valtteri Bottas to declare Ferrari is ahead at the moment.

"As Seb said it doesn't feel like a new car," said Leclerc. "It feels like it's already quite an established car.

"We need to keep pushing. The other teams are sandbagging.

"We need to see how much they are, but we are pretty happy with the car at the moment."

Vettel's feedback on Ferrari's SF90 included the claim that it gave him confidence to do what he wanted on-track.

Leclerc agreed that it is "quite easy to drive".

"I already feel quite at ease with the car," he said.

"There's still a lot I need to get at ease with but already the feeling is very good."

Zdroj: autosport.com