Leclerc expects Ferrari to 'struggle a bit more' at Silverstone

Ferrari displayed encouraging pace last weekend in Austria, but Charles Leclerc fears the Scuderia will struggle to carry its momentum forward in Silverstone.

In Spielberg, Leclerc finished runner-up to the unassailable Red Bull of championship leader Max Verstappen while teammate Carlos Sainz was fourth on the road before a penalty for exceeding track limits demoted the Spaniard to sixth.

However, it was a good result overall for the Italian outfit and one that validated the upgrade package introduced previously in Spain and the additional changes implemented at the Red Bull Ring last weekend.

"We couldn't really prove it at any other tracks since Barcelona, but in Austria the feeling was good and the pace was a bit better than what we had for the first part of the season," the Monegasque told the media on Thursday at Silverstone.

"However, we shouldn't get carried away. Red Bull is still a lot in front and I think this track, this weekend will expose a bit more our weaknesses.

"So we might struggle a bit more than what we've seen Austria."

• Read also: Pirelli debuts new tyre construction at tough Silverstone

Another factor that might come into play for Ferrari is the debut this weekend of Pirelli's new slick tyres that feature a more durable construction capable of withstanding the heavy loads produced by this year's ground-effect cars.

Tyre degradation has been a massive headache for Ferrari, and Leclerc has eager to gauge Pirelli's new product and the impact it may or may not have on the balance and degradation levels of Ferrari's SF-23 car.

"During the Free Practice it is going to be very important to assess that, to see how much of a difference it is in terms of tyre degradation if we need to fine tune the car to these new constructions," he explained.

"Then we'll see, but we don't know yet whether it's going to be a benefit or a weakness."

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