Charles Leclerc admits Red Bull “have upper hand” despite leading the way

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc is enjoying a breakout campaign in search of his first Formula 1 title, so it makes sense the Monegasque is eager to keep a low profile.

As well as winning two of the first three races this season, Leclerc's rise coincided with troubles for Ferrari's rivals at the start of this season. Mercedes ' W13 design continues to have serious flaws, while Red Bull 's Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez each retired during the season-opener in Bahrain.

That's not the only DNF of Verstappen's season to date having also retired in Australia. However, it's sensible for Leclerc to raise caution over Red Bull considering the titleholder has won each of the three races he has completed this year.

“Well, I think we have been in only one position since the beginning of the season, which means we are hunted for now,” said Leclerc after finishing second in Sunday's Miami Grand Prix. “I quite like this position to be honest, because it means that you are doing something right.

"But it is also true that it’s two races that the gap is slowly closing down. But yeah, I don’t I don’t really mind, to be honest, whichever position I am in, I just want to be the most competitive out there. And at the moment, it seems that Red Bull has the upper hand in the races.”

One can see how the Prancing Horse's star driver might have arrived at that conclusion following Sunday's events. Verstappen started third on the grid behind Ferrari's pair, though it took him no time at all to move into second after overtaking Carlos Sainz.

It wasn't until Lap 8 that Verstappen was able to use his DRS boost and move into first, a position he held for the remainder of the race in Florida. It appears Red Bull have overcome some of their