The China Mail - Leclerc absent as under par Ferrari face home race

In a statement Ferrari confirmed that the Monegasque driver was feeling unwell but was expected to be fit to drive on Friday.

"Charles is feeling unwell and will not be coming to the track today," it said.

"He will rest and focus on recovering and we expect him to be in the car tomorrow."

Leclerc's absence added to the Italian team's woes ahead of their first 'home' race of the season at the Autodrome Enzo e Dino Ferrari, named after the team's founder.

Ferrari, with marquee signing seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton struggling to shine, are already 152 points adrift of leaders McLaren in the constructors' championship after finishing last season only 14 points behind them.

After six races, they have only registered one podium finish – Leclerc taking third place at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in April – and one sprint victory, by Hamilton in China.

Leclerc is in his seventh year with Ferrari after joining from Sauber in 2018 and is widely thought to be one of the fastest drivers in the paddock, but without a car to match his talents.

He has won eight Grands Prix with Ferrari and claimed 44 podium finishes and 26 pole positions, but he has been unable to overcome the dominance of four-time champion Max Verstappen and Red Bull in the 'ground effect' era.

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