'100% sure it's the right thing': Leclerc, Hamilton show confidence ahead of Baku GP

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix is here and the action will get under way with the first practice session later on Friday morning, followed by qualifying in the afternoon.

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It is the first time in four weeks that the tyres will hit a racetrack and the electricity in the air is palpable. Finally, we can go racing!

For the drivers taking to the track, it will be an interesting way of going about the weekend, given the amendment to the Sprint Race format.

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc share their thought on this weekend's race.

A clean weekend

Leclerc is under no illusion that his Ferrari team is languishing behind Red Bull, Aston Martin and Mercedes-AMG. However, despite the apparent struggles, he maintains confidence in the team and the direction they are heading in to make up lost ground.

"I think, realistically, we don't have the performance that Red Bull has with their car at the moment," he said.

"What gives me the confidence for the future is that I know the plans of the team, I know what's coming to the car, and this gives me the confidence for the future because I know the idea and what Fred (Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur) wants to do.

"I am 100% sure that this is the right thing for the future, and that will bring us to fight with Red Bull. When is the question, and I don't have the answer for now. This weekend we just need to try and have a clean weekend."

'A new path'

Hamilton and Mercedes endured a tough year in 2022, and '23 also got off to a rocky start. However, team boss Toto Wolff confirmed that the team knows where to improve and has already made a raft of changes to increase performance.

These changes include the F1 team's personnel and the intended upgrades that will be brought