British Grand Prix runner-up Charles Leclerc predicted his own defeat at Silverstone last weekend

• Silverstone runner-up Charles Leclerc predicted his own defeat at the British Grand Prix.
• The 23-year-old was pipped to victory on the penultimate lap by Lewis Hamilton.
• "This year, it is going to be very difficult for us to win a race," he told Insider ahead of the race.

Silverstone runner-up Charles Leclerc predicted his own defeat at the British Grand Prix.

The Ferrari driver had led Sunday's Formula One race from the first lap following a collision between Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton.

However, the 23-year-old was ultimately pipped to victory on the penultimate lap by Hamilton, who overcame a 10-second penalty to win in Northampton for the eighth time.

Speaking to Insider ahead of the race, Leclerc had said that winning a race this season was unrealistic for him in his current car.

"I felt like probably our best opportunity, our best shot for for victory was in Monaco," Monaco born-and-bred Leclerc told Insider.

Leclerc qualified on pole position at both the the Monaco and Azerbaijan Grands Prix, but was unable to finish on the podium on either occasion.

"At home, I was starting from from first position for the race on Sunday, but unfortunately we couldn't start because of of a problem on the car before the race," he continued. "So that was a shame."

"But then in Baku, we just weren't quick enough. We are fighting against, I think McLaren for now realistically, and we were a bit out of position in these two races where we were starting from poll.

"The car was very strong on one lap, but over a full race it was a bit more difficult for us. So realistically, I think for this year, it is going to be very difficult for us to win a race."

Leclerc's podium finish at Silverstone was his third on the bounce at the track

In 2020, the Monégasque driver finished third at the race behind Hamilton and Verstappen, while in 2019 he also finished third, that time behind Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.

It is the only track on the F1 circuit on where he has now made the podium on three separate occasions.

"Silverstone is a track I love," Leclerc told Insider ahead of Sunday's race. "It's the home of motorsport it's where it all started. It's just a very, very special track.

"Especially with those new cars, now we are incredibly quick in all those high speed corners and it's so satisfying as a driver to drive there."