P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Leclerc ‘surprised’ by Mercedes defeat
Charles Leclerc expressed surprise at Mercedes’ pace during the Qatar Grand Prix, as George Russell finished ahead of him despite a first lap crash. Mercedes fought back and finished in fourth place, while Leclerc ended up in fifth ahead of Fernando Alonso. Leclerc mentioned that Ferrari approached the race with caution after Carlos Sainz had to withdraw due to a fuel issue. He also acknowledged McLaren’s strong performance but was particularly surprised by Mercedes’ ability to finish ahead despite the early crash. Leclerc, like other drivers, expressed concern about the challenging conditions of the race, with drivers experiencing dehydration and physical strain.
Source: RacingNews 365
