SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS, Belgium — Charles Leclerc is worried Ferrari’s rival Crimson Bull has discovered a big step in efficiency after Max Verstappen certified over 0.7s away from the remainder of the sphere on the Belgian Grand Prix.

Grid penalties for Verstappen and Leclerc imply they are going to each transfer down the grid and begin from fifteenth and sixteenth, however Leclerc stated his hole of practically a second to his championship rival was a trigger for concern.

The Ferrari driver doubts it was only a quirk of automotive efficiency at Spa-Francorchamps and is as an alternative apprehensive it’s a signal Crimson Bull has constructed a bonus over Ferrari.

“I imply, if it is monitor particular then they constructed this automotive precisely for this monitor as a result of 0.7s is lots,” he stated. “So I do not know.

“They discovered one thing this weekend that’s fairly spectacular. I imply, it is a huge hole. So I hope that in Zandvoort it is going to change.

“However earlier than that we have the race tomorrow, we appear to be a bit extra aggressive. Let’s have a look at the way it goes.”

Understanding he had a grid penalty no matter his qualifying efficiency, Leclerc stated he tailor-made his setup to the race as an alternative of single lap efficiency however he doubts that accounted for all of the distinction to Verstappen.

“Total, I centered a bit extra on the race,” he added. “So I used to be fairly a bit happier with my automotive within the race than I used to be in qualifying.

“So yeah, taking a look at Friday [practice], it seemed constructive. However once more, taking a look at qualifying when there’s this a lot of a niche, I battle to see us as aggressive as them within the race tomorrow for some purpose.

“I will probably be dissatisfied if I do not get again on the rostrum, however contemplating he is with me, if he has the tempo of as we speak then it may be very troublesome for me to get again on the rostrum. However yeah, we by no means know. A superb first stint, a clear race and I am positive we are able to get again to the entrance.”

On his closing run, Leclerc expressed shock when Ferrari despatched him out on a brand new set of soppy tyres — believing they might save them for the race — however stated it might not have a big affect on his race.

“I feel there was a miscommunication. It wasn’t a giant deal. However clearly I discussed it as a result of I used to be a bit shocked. However yeah, it would not change something anyway, for the remainder of the week.”