Charles Leclerc: I'm ready to fight for Formula 1 title at Ferrari
Charles Leclerc believes he is ready to fight for the Formula 1 title but "shouldn't be in the seat" at Ferrari if he did not feel that way
Leclerc claimed his first F1 victory in last weekend's Belgian Grand Prix and was praised by Mercedes' five-time world champion Lewis Hamilton after the race for his performances against Sebastian Vettel at Ferrari.
The victory moved Leclerc to just 12 points behind Vettel in the championship, although the Ferrari drivers are only fourth and fifth during a difficult season for the team.
- Leclerc's path to first win
- Stamps his authority on Ferrari
- Praise from Hamilton
- How Vettel helped Leclerc win
Leclerc has established himself well inside the team up against four-time world champion Vettel, claiming Ferrari's first win of the season and matching Vettel for podiums while also claiming three poles to the German's one.
"I think I've been in better form [than Vettel] in qualifying since six races [ago]," said Leclerc. "I've changed my approach a little bit.
"In the race, it's been a bit of a different story. I've been struggling a little bit in the two previous races but I've changed and it seems to pay off [at Spa] so that's great.
"If I feel like I'm ready to be challenging for world titles, at the end I have the car and team for it.
"We obviously need to work because we are struggling a bit compared to Mercedes but on my side, yes, I've got a lot to learn, that's for sure, but I feel ready.
"You always need to feel ready, once you are in that position, otherwise I shouldn't be in the seat that I am in today."
Leclerc joined Ferrari for 2019 after just one season in F1 racing for its customer team Sauber.
The 21-year-old is likely to receive a raucous reception at this weekend's Italian Grand Prix after ending the team's 2019 win drought.
"Last year, coming to Monza was one of the best experiences in my life," said Leclerc.
"The support I had even though I was not a Ferrari driver was unbelievable so I can't imagine now.
"I just won my first race in F1, so I'm pretty sure the welcome will be great.
"It was last year but probably even more now: firstly driving for Ferrari and secondly because I just had my first win in F1.
"I'm really looking forward to arriving in Italy."
Share Or Save This Story
The driver who can wreck F1's "super exciting" 2020 silly season
Red Bull's Verstappen now has basis for first F1 title challenge
Ferrari: Mick Schumacher a good candidate for seat in Formula 1
Why Leclerc wasn’t penalised for clash with Piastri in Belgian GP
Explained: The yellow flag error that caught Leclerc out in Belgian GP qualifying
Why Leclerc’s battle of the brakes has left him trailing his Ferrari team-mate
Hamilton takes "full responsibility" for disappointing Belgian GP
Hamilton keeps F1 Belgian GP fourth-place finish as mechanic escapes unhurt
Why Vasseur's steady hand is exactly what fervent Ferrari needs right now
"You're not allowed to make a difference" – Verstappen says the fastest F1 drivers are penalised
Russell: Data shows software calibration behind recent F1 struggles, not driving style
Mercedes identifies Russell's F1 power unit software issue
Aston Martin's Hungarian GP upgrade is big – but not as big as F1 insiders expected it to be
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments