Charles Leclerc has gained eight races with Ferrari: Belgium, Italy, Bahrain, Australia, Austria, Monza once more, and america. These victories are unfold over six years on the Maranello group, which is a clearly low tally contemplating his expertise and the variety of races he has contested. The Monegasque driver might undoubtedly have achieved far more if the Prancing Horse had supplied him with extra aggressive automobiles throughout these years. In relation to pole positions, the quantity rises: we’re speaking about 26 begins from the entrance. A determine that highlights his distinctive ability in single-lap efficiency and understanding of the automobile. Ten quickest laps, forty-three podiums, two hat methods, and one grand slam.
The entire factors gathered, together with his debut System 1 season with Alfa Romeo, quantity to 1,430. Now, because the Ferrari driver prepares for his eighth season, expectations are very excessive, particularly contemplating the truth that the 2024 System 1 marketing campaign is the final underneath the present guidelines and rules. Then, one other revolution will arrive, possibly the largest the highest tier of motorsport has ever seen. On condition that we have no idea how the steadiness of energy will shift, because the FIA has launched actually radical adjustments, 2025 stays a primary goal that the Maranello group is closely centered on.
Within the meantime Carlos Sainz has left the Italian facet and Lewis Hamilton has arrived. The seven-time System 1 world champion lands in Italy on the age of 40. Many consider he’s now not the phenomenon he as soon as was. In any case, age takes its toll on everybody. Nonetheless, he doesn’t see it that method in any respect. Quite the opposite, identical to Ferrari group principal Frederic Vasseur, he’s completely satisfied he can nonetheless make an enormous distinction. That’s exactly why he has taken on this problem. The Brit has stepped out of his consolation zone, leaving Mercedes behind to embark on a brand new journey—the ultimate chapter of his extraordinary profession.
The British driver has the possibility to make historical past. By becoming a member of Ferrari, he goals to carry the Maranello group again to the highest of the world. And if he succeeds, it will be actually spectacular. Imagining such a situation means acknowledging that Lewis Hamilton would immediately change into the best residing sports activities legend. All very thrilling—apart from one small element: his teammate.
Lately, Italian journalist and Ferrari insider Leo Turrini, who’s a widely known buddy of the Monegasque driver, shared some fascinating insights in his well-respected columns, recalling a comment Charles Leclerc made in 2019 earlier than the Australian Grand Prix. Ferrari had requested him to take it simple: it was, in spite of everything, his debut for essentially the most prestigious group, alongside a four-time System 1 world champion like Sebastian Vettel. His response? “I’ll crush him.” And in reality, though he completed behind the German on that event, he was faster, and solely a group radio instructing him to not assault decided the result. The remainder is historical past as a result of, because the Italian journalist identified, it was Charles Leclerc who initiated Sebastian Vettel’s retirement.
Now, trying at present, who might presumably suppose the Monegasque doesn’t intend to do the identical with Lewis Hamilton?
The teammate, in System 1, has at all times been the primary rival. And when two drivers race for a similar group, with the identical automobile and the possibility to win, the competitors naturally intensifies. How would Charles Leclerc really feel if Ferrari returned to successful a championship, however it was the Britih driver who achieved it? To clear up any doubts, as Leo Turrini factors out, the prodigal son’s intentions are already set: to provide his greatest and show that he can defat Lewis Hamilton as nicely. And the Brit is aware of this very nicely. He’s no idiot. That’s why his consideration to element is at its peak.
We’ve seen him taking notes throughout his appearances with the Italian facet, one thing by no means seen at Mercedes. He’s pushing himself to the restrict as a result of, in all chance, after Fernando Alonso, he will probably be dealing with the strongest teammate he has ever needed to share a storage with. The 2 are buddies, or a minimum of their relationship appears glorious at this stage. And hopefully for Ferrari, it stays that method and also will consequence within the Maranello group successful the Constructors’ championship after virtually twenty years. However the motivation Charles Leclerc can have this 12 months can solely be described as immense. Persistently outpacing essentially the most profitable driver in historical past would give him even larger confidence in his talents.
Charles Leclerc’ twin goal is exactly this: to beat Lewis Hamilton and win the 2025 System 1 championship. It could be the top of his motorsport profession, with a double satisfaction—reaching the highest of the world with Ferrari, as he has at all times dreamed, whereas additionally relishing absolutely the gratification of doing so by defeating Lewis Hamilton. The proverbial cherry on prime. Too dangerous the Brit can have no intention of agreeing. And if the SF-25 proves to be a title contender, the battle forward on monitor might be completely epic. The primary actual indication of this is available in a couple of month, when the brand new automobiles hit the monitor on the Albert Park circuit in Australia.
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