Ferrari fans have begged the team not to change the setups on their cars after an unexpectedly strong Friday in Monte Carlo. That was despite spent much of the build-up to the telling everyone who would listen that this street circuit will not suit their cars.
The Monegasque told reporters that the many slow-speed corners on this track will not be suited to his . But while the evidence of the season so far backed up that claim, the results of Friday practice painted a different picture.
Leclerc topped the timesheets at the end of both sessions. And also found some pace, though practice times do always have to be taken with a pinch of salt as it is never clear which teams are showing their full hand.
have a strong track record of sand bagging on a Friday. And the fact was second quickest behind Leclerc in FP3 on Saturday morning pointed at them having done so again, while will also expect to have both their drivers in the hunt for pole.
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Regardless, Leclerc's pace on Friday has got fans excited that he might be able to make it back-to-back victories in his home race. And the prospect of that happening has those supporters begging Ferrari not to take any setup risks.
One wrote on social media: "Don't touch the car, don't touch the wings, don't touch the suspension, don't touch the mirrors, don't touch Leo [Leclerc's dog, don't touch the steering wheel, don't touch a SINGLE thing, I swear to God."
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Another excited fan wrote: "Ferrari locking in!? Wow, don't touch the car." And a third fan also begged of the team: "Ferrari, don't touch the car!"
But despite his impressive lap times on Friday, Leclerc wasn't too much more optimistic about his chances this weekend. Asked at the end of the day's running if he was still adamant that Ferrari would find things tough in Monaco, he replied: "Maybe a bit less convinced, but let's say I'm not convinced the other way either.
"I think for now, a Friday in Monaco is always very special, very specific. I think everybody is taking a bit their reference. It's too early to feel very positive about the weekend, but let's say that Friday has been very positive for us.
"I've been feeling pretty good with the car. It hasn't started the way I wanted with , but after that it's been pretty smooth and I'm happy overall with the car."
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