Charles Leclerc could be on the point of his finest alternative but to assert the Formulation 1 world championship in 2025. Nonetheless, to grab the crown, he is aware of he’ll want to beat the game’s most profitable driver so far.
Since becoming a member of Ferrari again in 2019, Charles Leclerc has endured years of rebuilding with the Scuderia. It wasn’t till 2024 that Ferrari delivered a constant problem within the constructors’ championship, ending a mere 14 factors behind McLaren. Impressively, they outscored each different workforce through the ultimate two triple-headers of the season. With minimal regulatory adjustments for 2025, Ferrari may very properly begin the Australian Grand Prix because the workforce to beat.
Leclerc loved his most profitable season but in 2024, securing a career-high 13 podiums and equaling his finest season win tally of three. He additionally closed the hole to Max Verstappen extra considerably than he did in 2022, lowering the factors deficit to 81 in comparison with 146, regardless of slipping one place within the standings (from second to 3rd).
Karun Chandhok has hailed Leclerc because the second-best driver of 2024, rating him simply behind the world champion. This evaluation displays what many consider is the Monegasque driver’s most polished and full kind as a driver.
Martin Brundle has gone a step additional, suggesting that Charles Leclerc could be sooner than Max Verstappen by way of qualifying tempo. This might spell hassle for Lewis Hamilton, who endured his poorest-ever qualifying season in 2024.
Charles Leclerc’s resolve: A teammate’s title isn’t his concern
Properly-known Sky Italy commentator Carlo Vanzini famously dubbed the Monegasque driver “Il Predestinato” (The Predestined One), a nickname that gained prominence in 2019 when Charles Leclerc clinched his first Grand Prix victories at Spa and Monza, Ferrari’s residence circuit.
Throughout an episode of the *Lo Stagista Podcast* in 2022, Carlo Vanzini revealed the origins of the moniker. When Leclerc was simply 15, he attended Sky for media coaching, the place Carlo Vanzini staged a mock press convention. Requested how he would react if he have been on pole whereas his teammate fought for the championship, the Monegasque firmly said that he would prioritize his personal race over aiding the sister automotive.
Later, Charles Leclerc approached the Sky Italy commentator to emphasise that he would by no means enable himself to be in such a place. Even earlier than his Formulation 1 profession started, Charles Leclerc was firm: no teammate’s ambitions would take priority over his personal pursuit of glory. Carlo Vanzini recalled that after the mock press convention, the Monegasque adopted him exterior and defined that the query had been flawed. Leclerc instructed him it will by no means be doable for him to be in a scenario the place he was combating for the title and his teammate was the one contesting it as an alternative.
Charles Leclerc seems able to undertake a technique much like Max Verstappen’s because the looming battle with Lewis Hamilton attracts nearer. His remarks function a transparent, symbolic warning to Hamilton forward of his much-anticipated debut with Ferrari. Though Leclerc isn’t usually recognized for being an overtly aggressive driver, that might very properly change if the Formulation 1 drivers’ championship is at stake.
At 27 years outdated, Leclerc appears to be approaching his prime. In stark distinction, Hamilton is nearing 40, with some murmurs starting to flow into relating to a possible decline in his efficiency.
Leclerc acknowledges that the preliminary months of their partnership could also be tough, significantly by way of managing Hamilton’s immense fame. Whereas the Monegasque driver has been the point of interest on the Maranello workforce in the previous few years, he acknowledges that Lewis Hamilton, as probably the most recognizable figures within the sport, may simply overshadow him.
Nonetheless, Charles Leclerc has made it clear that he’s ready to channel his interior Max Verstappen when required. Ought to he discover himself able to defend a championship lead late within the season, he’s absolutely ready to “play with the principles” so as to safe victory.
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