“If you compare last year to this year, we’ve done a good job, and we need to keep working like this.”
Asked which areas of the car had been improved, Leclerc said the changes were holistic.
“It’s an overall improvement,” he said. “The power feels better, the balance in the corners and the actual grip of the car feels better. It’s not only on one thing in particular, but it’s just the whole package that feels better and this is positive for the future.
After scoring its worst constructors’ placing for 40 years in 2020, Leclerc also says the team has a clear target of where it aims in its improvement this season.
“I think a realistic goal for this year will be just behind Red Bull and Mercedes,” he said. “It’s going to be very difficult to fight with them. We are too far behind for now, but we are in the fight with four or five other teams for the third place in the constructors [championship]. So it’s going to be a tight fight but, if we do everything perfect, I think it’s reasonable.”