Leclerc: Advantage Red Bull in Mexico, but 'it will be close'

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Charles Leclerc is predicting that Red Bull will have the upper hand again come race day in Mexico City, but the Ferrari driver believes it will be close between the champions and the Scuderia.

Ferrari heads into its Mexican weekend at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on the back of a mixed result in Austin, with poleman Carlos Sainz punted out of the race at the first corner and Leclerc finishing third after starting P12 due to a grid penalty.

Mexico City's high-altitude conditions rob teams of aero downforce because of the atmosphere's thinner air, a characteristic that has led to some surprising results in the past.

That environment might help mitigate Ferrari's straight-line speed deficit versus Red Bull, but Leclerc still believes the latter will have an edge on Sunday.

©Ferrari

"It's difficult to know for now, [but] I still believe that Red Bull will be the team to beat on Sunday," Leclerc said.

"They always seem to find something from the Saturday to the Sunday that we haven't quite found yet, but we are getting there.

"I don't know whether this track will be better or worse. But anyway, I believe it will be close on Sunday."

Read also:

Mekies: Red Bull 'protected' from Ferrari by top speed advantage

Ferrari's 2022 season has been marked by four wins but also by too many strategy and operational missteps that deprived the Italian outfit of big points and likely a few wins.

Leclerc has now written off the year and insists the remaining three rounds must serve to optimize Ferrari's operations for next season.

However, the Monegasque will put in his best effort to fend off Sergio Perez and finish runnr-up in the Drivers' standings.

"With Ferrari we are working to win the World Championship, but now we know that winning the World Championship is not possible anymore," said Leclerc.

"We'll try and use these last three races in order to be a better team for next year, to challenge for the World Championship again.

"Having said that, second is better than third, and we'll obviously give everything to beat Checo."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.