Portugal Colonial - Ferrari duo counting on change of fortune in Bahrain

Lewis Hamilton's sprint win from pole in China apart, the scuderia have yet to make much of an impact - Charles Leclerc's fourth in Japan last weekend their best result.

The man from Monaco is pinning his hopes on new parts and the hotter conditions in Sakhir to trouble the two McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri and the Red Bull of four-time champion Max Verstappen who top the standings after the first three races.

"We've got a few new parts here which I hope will help us to close that gap a little bit," Leclerc said on Thursday.

Asked about the effect on Ferrari of the dramatic change in temperature compared to the first three races he replied: "I hope that is the case, because obviously the first part of the season has been worse than expected and we really hope that we can be back up to fight at the front.

"I hope the warm weather will help us."

He said the Italian team had been left "disappointed" that other teams had taken a bigger step forward than them on results so far.

"So I hope that what we are bringing this weekend can help us to at least close this gap a bit more and be just a bit more in the fight with the others."

Hamilton said the experts back at Ferrari HQ in Maranello have been "working really hard to bring upgrades".

After swotting away a few mischievous mosquitoes, the seven-time world champion added: "I think this weekend is a step forward for us.

"It's not necessarily closing the gap but it's going towards closing the gap."

Of life at his new Italian employers after 12 years at Mercedes, the 40-year-old Briton highlighted the "energy" at Ferrari.

"I think it's amazing in Maranello. I'm really enjoying going there every week, getting to see more and more of the magic of the people, and understand more and more about the culture."

Whilst he may be one of the most celebrated drivers in F1 history Hamilton did concede there was one area where he was still playing catch-up.

"My Italian is still not great. I know that it will be, I'll continue to try."

O.Gaspar--PC