Leclerc targets doing 'something special' in Mexico City GP

Charles Leclerc vows to do "something special" this weekend if an opportunity comes his way in Mexico City where Ferrari is optimistic of achieving a strong result.

The Scuderia sits just 3.5 points behind rival McLaren in the Constructors' championship, with the two teams locked in a tight battle for the final spot on the podium.

The high-altitude location of Mexico's Autodromo Hermano Rodriguez, where the air is less dense, typically favors high-downforce set-ups, which could play into Ferrari's hands.

"I like the optimism but I also think we should be realistic," Leclerc said on Thursday.

"Of course, on paper, it looks like it's going to be a promising weekend for us. But not at all fighting with Red Bull and Mercedes, they are way too far ahead.

"The goal is to try and be in front of McLaren, and we'll keep this in mind.

"Of course, if there is an opportunity to do better I will go for it, as always, and I will try to do something special."

• Read also - McLaren: No time 'to let down our guard' against Ferrari

Leclerc warned that the team's high expectations have sometimes been difficult to fulfil this season.

"It's true to say that sometimes we've had good and bad surprises compared to what we expected on paper," he added.

"So let's not get carried away too much, and focus on our job. But it should be quite a strong race for us if we compare ourselves to the other midfield teams."

Ferrari's recent engine upgrade which featured a new hybrid system has been a boost to the Italian outfit, although both Leclerc and teammate Carlos Sainz have been reluctant to put a hard number on the improvement.

But the Monegasque insists the change "is definitely a big step forward", especially in race trim.

"It is very difficult, because it’s very slight changes," said Leclerc. "Every time we put on a new package, we are speaking about hundredths every corner.

"So it is very, very difficult to quantify that in the feeling. But yes, you can feel it a little bit, especially while battling in the race where you need to use your energy and then see how much it recovers, etc.

"So you feel it a little bit in certain situations. But it’s not like it’s completely obvious as soon as I got into the car and did the first lap."

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