P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Leclerc: Mercedes F1 one-lap pace “a bit of a surprise"
Mercedes performed well in FP2 at Sakhir, with Lewis Hamilton leading ahead of George Russell. Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was fourth, while Charles Leclerc faced challenges during his quick lap. Leclerc remains optimistic about Ferrari’s position and performance, especially over long runs. He acknowledged improvements in car optimization compared to last year, aiming to make the best out of the weekend.
Leclerc expects Ferrari to be competitive, especially with Red Bull as a question mark. Sainz also noted the unexpected pace of Mercedes in FP2 and expects Red Bull to be stronger in the long run. Ferrari aims to address brake issues and fine-tune the car’s balance and long-run performance overnight, in preparation for the upcoming sessions. The team faces challenges with windy conditions but remains focused on optimizing their performance for the race.
