The start of the season showed Mercedes and Ferrari dominating the top part of the grid, but for Charles Leclerc the gap between them is bigger than it seems. The Monegasque driver downplayed the euphoria after the first two rounds.
Ferrari managed to get both their cars in the top positions in Australia and China, and Leclerc sits third in the drivers' championship behind the two Mercedes drivers, but appearances can be deceiving, according to the driver himself. "I don't think we're as close as people think," he said in the press conference ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix and explained that although there were several fights between the cars in the first races, as soon as conditions stop being optimal the difference becomes evident.
Leclerc's analysis is blunt but realistic. He realized that the only chance they have to keep up with them is to disrupt them during the first laps, when everything is more chaotic and the cars can't exploit their full potential. But when the Mercedes cars get clean air, the gap opens up and there's no way to close it. That explains why in practice and qualifying the difference is usually more pronounced than in the first laps of the race.
Despite the diagnosis, the Ferrari driver isn't discouraged. He knows the season is long and that the car's development throughout the year will be key to fighting for the championship. Leclerc said they're in an acceptable place, that Mercedes has a significant advantage but that doesn't bring him down, and that the team has things in development that can help close the gap. The priority now is to focus on themselves and not look so much at what the rival is doing.
The challenge for Ferrari is enormous because Mercedes not only has a fast car but also showed flawless reliability in the first two races. The Germans won both races, got both poles and showed a devastating pace when the car is in its optimal operating window. For their part, Ferrari needs conditions to be perfect to get close, and when something isn't quite right, the difference spikes.
Leclerc was honest without falling into defeatism. His diagnosis is a wake up call inside the team but also a sign of maturity. He knows Ferrari has the resources and talent to fight, but he also understands the car still isn't at Mercedes' level and the road to catch them is going to be long. Development will be key and the upcoming races will determine whether they can make that leap or if the gap remains.
For now, the goal is to keep scoring points, get into the top positions every weekend and hope that the upgrades coming in the next races help close the distance. Leclerc trusts the team can do it, but he also knows it won't happen overnight.
The fight for the championship is just beginning, but Leclerc already made it clear he doesn't want anyone selling him false hope. The reality is that Mercedes is one step above right now.