Leclerc: Outscoring Mercedes definitely the goal in Mexico

Ferrari outscored Mercedes by five points in the United States Grand Prix last weekend, and entering this race weekend in Mexico, both teams are separated by 22 points to Mercedes' advantage in the F1 Constructors' Standings.

Leclerc and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton were both disqualified after the race in Austin as both their cars failed post-race FIA checks, their under-floor planks found to be excessively worn.

Facing the media in Mexico city, Leclerc reflected on his disqualification in Austin. Quote by F1's Official Website, he said: "It’s a very difficult question to answer, especially on a Sprint weekend, because at the end we only have one session to actually set up the ride height of the car, and once we’ve finished FP1 we are nowhere.

"The car was not touching at all, then obviously with high fuel, etc. then you get to the race and you get disqualified for the smallest margin possible.

"But rules are rules and they are written in black and white, so it’s completely fair to have disqualified us. It’s life," he acceded.

"Now we need to get on with it, try to understand what we could have done better to predict it, even though in a situation like this it’s very difficult because in FP1 we had no signs of touching anywhere, which makes it very difficult to then predict on Sunday," the Monegasque maintained.

As for Ferrari's fight with Mercedes for second in the 2023 F1 Constructors' Championship, the Ferrari ace responded: "[Outscoring them here is] definitely the goal.

"The fight is clearly with them until the end of the season and we need to be in front of them at the end of the season, so that’s our target," he insisted.