Leclerc hails 'great' P3, but Ferrari pace still track specific

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc hailed his performance in Saturday's qualifying in Turkey but insists the overall pace of the Scuderia's SF21 remains track specific.

Leclerc clocked in fourth at the end of the final top-ten shootout after charging his way through the 'tricky" first two segments of qualifying that were threatened from the outset by rain, although drivers ultimately had to contend with sporadic drizzles.

However, the Monegasque will line up P3 on Sunday's grid behind poleman Valtteri Bottas and Red Bull's Max Verstappen, courtesy of pace setter Lewis Hamilton's 10-place grid penalty.

"It was a very tricky session," Leclerc told Sky F1. "We opted for a lower downforce set-up today to benefit us tomorrow. But we knew it was going to be a difficult session in those tricky conditions.

"Q1 and Q2 were especially difficult, very slippery car overall and in Q3 once the track got a step better, we managed to put the lap in and to do a P3 which is great."

• 2021 Turkish Grand Prix - Qualifying results

Leclerc highlighted how he had got a helping hand from teammate Carlos Sainz towards the end of Q2 to ease his swift passage into Q3.

"It was great to see that Carlos was here to help me in Q2," he said. "Having the traffic in the last sector was not easy and him giving me the slipstream definitely helped me. Great teamwork to get into Q3 and then a great lap in Q3."

Leclerc was the recipient of an engine update in Russia, with Sainz receiving the new unit this week in Turkey. The two-time Grand Prix winner confirmed after qualifying that Ferrari's new hybrid system is definitely an improvement.

"It's a good step in the right direction," he said. "It's' not a game changer so it's not going to make us win races from now on.

"But it's definitely going in the right direction which is what we want to feel as drivers. And it's good to see that the development is going in the right direction."

Ferrari's pace in qualifying and on race day has gradually improved over the season. But Leclerc, who could not clearly explain his car's good level of performance in Turkey, admitted that the Scuderia's current level of performance won't be sustained at every remaining venue this season.

"It's a bit strange to be honest, because also the midfield seems to be working quite well," he said, commenting on the SF21's pace around Istanbul Park.

"We are very close to pole position , everyone is, so it's good to see that.

"I think it's track specific. We are very competitive this weekend on this track, and it's good to see that but I don't think it will be like this for the rest of the season.

"We still lack a bit of performance."

Assessing his prospects for Sunday's race at Istanbul Park, Leclerc believes he has the right set-up, if conditions remain dry.

"Well, we're starting P3," he said. "I feel like we got the right setup for tomorrow if it is dry. If that is the case, I am confident!

"If they are a bit worse like Q1 or Q2, I expect it might be a bit trickier. The radar says it should be good conditions, so let's hope so."

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