Leclerc: Austrian GP confirmed 'good feelings' on Ferrari upgrades

©Ferrari

Charles Leclerc says last Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix offered Ferrari the confirmation it was looking for regarding the positive impact of its latest upgrades.

The Scuderia introduced a suite of aerodynamic updates on its SF-23 last month in Barcelona that was followed by more changes last weekend in Austria where the Italian outfit showcased a revised front wing as well as changes to the car's floor.

On Friday, Leclerc qualified second behind poleman Max Verstappen, but Saturday's Sprint – which he finished a lowly P12 – was a disappointing affair for the Monegasque due in large part to a lack of grip in the difficult wet-to-dry conditions.

But Sunday brought a smile back on Leclerc's face.

"It feels good to be back on the podium, especially after what was a very difficult day yesterday. I had a really good feeling in the car on Friday," he said.

"I think with the new upgrades the feeling is getting there. And we were really waiting for this race in order to confirm the good feelings we had on Friday.

Read also: F1i's Driver Ratings for the 2023 Austrian GP

"It worked out. I mean, no secrets, we still need to work extremely hard to catch up Red Bull, who are still quite a lot faster on race day.

"But the feeling is better. And the team is pushing like I’ve never seen before in terms of bringing the upgrades much earlier than what was planned. And this is great to see."

©Ferrari

Asked about his prospects for this week's British Grand Prix at Silverstone, a race won last year by his teammate Carlos Sainz, Leclerc said that he'll be targeting at the very least another runner-spot behind the likely unassailable Mr. Verstappen

"This is the target, if not doing better," he said.

"So yes, it is a very different track in Silverstone. And it’s going to be very interesting to see where we are there, because I feel like maybe the weakness of the car now is still a little bit, the high-speed corners.

"And in Silverstone, there are lots of high-speed. So, it will be good to see if this new package helps."

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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.