Ferrari's Leclerc on Japan GP: 'We Need Big Improvements'

0:00On March 26, Ferrari driver Charles LeClair is setting realistic expectations for this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix. He says the team trails Mercedes by about four or five tenths of a second, making it tough to match their pace right now. Despite some close racing early in the season, Ferrari knows they need big improvements to challenge for wins. The team kicked off the year strong, with podium finishes for LeClair and Lewis Hamilton in Australia and China. They've shown they can lead races and fend off attacks from drivers like George Russell and Kimmy Antonelli. Still, Mercedes holds the edge in qualifying, and when they get clean track ahead, LeClair emits the on track battles look tighter than they really are. Especially if Ferrari makes even small mistakes. The cars are sensitive under these new rules, and any slip costs a lot of time. He's encouraged by the competition, but focused on closing that gap for the championship fight. Ferrari's factory crew is pushing hard on upgrades expected soon, though LeClair notes rivals

1:00are doing the same. He hopes these changes help them fight back, aiming not just for podiums, but actual victories down the line. Maybe even by 2026. Suzuki's twisty first sectors could play to Ferrari's strengths against Mercedes straight line speed, but LeClair wants to see data from free. Practice first. We'll know more soon if they can keep the pressure on. That's your F1 News Today update. AI powered and always on.