Leclerc: Second place in the constructors’ championship is important for the team

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz took the entire second row of the grid after qualifying results in Abu Dhabi, with the third and fourth fastest times respectively. Ferrari drivers are pessimistic about their chances of taking on Red Bull Racing in the race, but hope to stay ahead of Mercedes and hold onto second place in the Constructors’ Championship.

Charles Leclerc (3rd): “I locked up the wheels in the sixth and seventh corner combination, but honestly we got into a well deserved position today – the Red Bull drivers are very fast. We have good starting positions and tomorrow I will start next to Sergio.

I have no doubt that together with Carlos we will implement the strategy and try to maximize the team result. We know that Red Bull is even stronger on Sunday, so it will be difficult to stay ahead of them, but the team will do its best. I hope to hold on to second place in the individual standings and the constructors’ championship.

Before you go on vacation, you have to race tomorrow’s race. After two difficult seasons, the team took a step forward. Second place in the Constructors’ Championship is important for us – I will attack to achieve this result, and only then will I rest to come back stronger next year.

Carlo Sainz (4th): “The Red Bull drivers are within reach, but they have a fast car this weekend. We will do our best to keep ahead of them in the race, but if they are three tenths faster in qualifying, that usually means half a second in the race.

It is important that we qualified today ahead of the Mercedes drivers, who have been fast all weekend. With such starting positions we have good chances to be ahead of them tomorrow. We will do our best to stay ahead, but personally I would like to finish the season with a podium finish.”