Leclerc: Ferrari in 'a good position' but P3 where we deserve to be

Charles Leclerc believes Ferrari remains in a good position to battle Red Bull in Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, despite being outpaced in qualifying by its rival.

Leclerc clocked in third, 0.268s behind poleman Max Verstappen in Saturday evening's qualifying shootout at Yas Marina, with Scuderia teammate Carlos Sainz just behind.

There was little the Italian outfit's drivers could have done better to challenge the bulls, although Leclerc admitted that a lockup in Turns 6 and 7 had perhaps cost him a bit of time.

But overall, the Monegasque sees himself in a good position for race day.

"I locked up in Turns 6 and 7, but to be honest, [third] is the place we deserve today," he explained.

"The Red Bulls were just stronger, but we are still in quite a good position for tomorrow."

Leclerc's priority on Sunday will be to prevail in his battle for second in the Drivers' standings against Sergio Perez, while also defending the Scuderia's runner-up spot in the Constructors' championship against Mercedes.

"It is going to be close with Checo for sure. I'm sure we can work together with Carlos, I have no doubt on that.

"We'll try to maximise the team result but we know Red Bull is a bit stronger on Sunday, so it going to be tricky, but we are going to give it our all.

• 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Qualifying results

"Hopefully we can get that second place in the Drivers' and Constructors.'

"Before going on holiday, we need to focus on the race obviously after the last two very difficult years for the team.

"It is good to have done a step forward, and it is great for the team to [potentially] get that second place in the Constructors'.

"I'll push for that, and then we'll go on our holidays, rest and hopefully come back stronger next year."

On the other side of the Scuderia's garage, Sainz also believed that Ferrari can enjoy a strong finale, even suggesting that Red Bull's contenders are "with reach".

"I think they are within reach, but at the same time they are the faster car this weekend," Sainz told Sky Sports.

"We will try everything we can to out-race them tomorrow, but if they are three tenths quicker in quali, normally they are half a second [clear in the race].

"So, there is a bit of a gap there always in the race, but the important thing is that today we beat the Mercedes, which they looked quick all weekend. And we have a good chance of beating them tomorrow."

Ferrari holds a 19-point advantage over Mercedes in the Constructors' standings ahead of Sunday's last round of racing.

An optimistic Sainz sees no reason why his team can't maintain that edge over its rival in Sunday's race.

"I think we can maintain it tomorrow," said the Spaniard.

"I think we are in a strong position to keep it. We will give it everything tomorrow, but personally I would love to finish the season with a podium."

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