Charles Leclerc hopes Chinese year of the horse a good omen for Ferrari in Shanghai

[p]Both Ferraris were sensationally disqualified from the 2025 Chinese Grand Prix after the race for "excessive plank wear" on the undersides of their cars.[/p][p]China ushered in the new year of the horse last month and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/leclerc-charles/KlCOSRub/"]Leclerc[/a] reckoned that could be a good omen for Ferrari, who famously feature a back prancing horse or "Cavallino" on their badges.[/p][p][b]"I've been with the team for many years and I've been waiting for the year of the horse since the first year I joined the team,"[/b] the driver from Monaco told reporters ahead of this weekend's Chinese Grand Prix.[/p][p]"I hope that this year is our one, but we are against very tough competition," added Leclerc, who was third in the season-opener in Australia last weekend.[/p][embed guid="b19d5f2c-6caa-4a37-94b9-814d2a1fc118" url="https://x.com/ScuderiaFerrari/status/2031998270940090744" social-type="twitter" /][p]Leclerc and teammate [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/hamilton-lewis/tI5Vpe1h/"]Lewis Hamilton[/a] came in behind the two Mercedes of race winner [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/russell-george/xxF56RaN/"]George Russell[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/antonelli-andrea-kimi/ptGu0mT1/"]Kimi Antonelli[/a].[/p][p][b]"I think Mercedes are quite a bit ahead at the moment but little by little, I think we can catch them,"[/b] said Leclerc.[/p][p]Seven-time world champion Hamilton was a surprise winner of the sprint race at the Shanghai International Circuit last year in an otherwise difficult debut season in an underperforming 2025 Ferrari.[/p][p]Hamilton is much happier this season, but cautioned it was still early days.[/p][p]The Englishman said it was "far too early" to say if Ferrari could challenge for the drivers' or constructors' championships.[/p][p][b]"I think it will still be very tough to beat Mercedes this weekend,"[/b] Hamilton told reporters.[/p][p]"You have to assume the others will be picking up the pace, McLaren will pick up the pace and the second Red Bull will be in the fight as well.[/p][p][b]"So I think we will just focus on doing the best job we can and extracting the most from the car."[/b][/p]