Why Leclerc remains committed to his Ferrari F1 title dream
This season hasn't gone to plan for Charles Leclerc. But, despite the domination of Formula 1 by Red Bull, Max Verstappen's closest challenger in 2022 is still convinced Ferrari is the right place to be as he approaches 100 starts with the squad
The 2023 Formula 1 season feels very familiar to Charles Leclerc. The Ferrari driver started the year expecting huge, glittering things after taking major steps towards his world championship ambition the year before – a season where the team’s frailties and his own errors proved costly. But, despite a pre-season of positive speculation about his and Ferrari’s chances, testing revealed them to be rather dashed. For 2023, read 2020.
That year, Ferrari’s challenger was designed to make up for its predecessor’s low-speed-corner weaknesses. But the controversial FIA engine settlement meant Ferrari’s power unit was unexpectedly down on top-end punch. It would be two years before the team’s engine grunt was challenging Honda and Mercedes again, by which time F1’s chassis rules had moved on to something else entirely and the team was suddenly back in play for victory.
Why F1's 2023 Abu Dhabi GP finale wasn't a better race
Why F1's 2023 Abu Dhabi GP finale wasn't a better race Why F1's 2023 Abu Dhabi GP finale wasn't a better race
F1 Abu Dhabi GP: Verstappen wins 2023 finale as Mercedes secures second
F1 Abu Dhabi GP: Verstappen wins 2023 finale as Mercedes secures second F1 Abu Dhabi GP: Verstappen wins 2023 finale as Mercedes secures second
F1 Abu Dhabi GP: Verstappen beats Leclerc for final pole
F1 Abu Dhabi GP: Verstappen beats Leclerc for final pole F1 Abu Dhabi GP: Verstappen beats Leclerc for final pole
F1 Abu Dhabi GP: Russell tops first practice with 10 rookies in action
F1 Abu Dhabi GP: Russell tops first practice with 10 rookies in action F1 Abu Dhabi GP: Russell tops first practice with 10 rookies in action
Sargeant: I still don't know if I've done enough to secure 2024 Williams F1 seat
Sargeant: I still don't know if I've done enough to secure 2024 Williams F1 seat Sargeant: I still don't know if I've done enough to secure 2024 Williams F1 seat
Wolff, Vasseur handed warning by F1 stewards for bad language at Las Vegas GP
Wolff, Vasseur handed warning by F1 stewards for bad language at Las Vegas GP Wolff, Vasseur handed warning by F1 stewards for bad language at Las Vegas GP
Alpine abandons F1 engine equalisation push
Alpine abandons F1 engine equalisation push Alpine abandons F1 engine equalisation push
What F1 could do to make 2023’s best race even better
What F1 could do to make 2023’s best race even better What F1 could do to make 2023’s best race even better
Gasly: Hamilton would have gone straight if he didn’t hit me in F1 Abu Dhabi GP
Gasly: Hamilton would have gone straight if he didn’t hit me in F1 Abu Dhabi GP Gasly: Hamilton would have gone straight if he didn’t hit me in F1 Abu Dhabi GP
Inside Maserati’s long-awaited MC12 successor
Inside Maserati’s long-awaited MC12 successor Inside Maserati’s long-awaited MC12 successor
Norris: McLaren on right track for F1 2024 challenge
Norris: McLaren on right track for F1 2024 challenge Norris: McLaren on right track for F1 2024 challenge
Mir: Valencia first time Honda 'brought something that worked' to MotoGP test
Mir: Valencia first time Honda 'brought something that worked' to MotoGP test Mir: Valencia first time Honda 'brought something that worked' to MotoGP test
Hamilton interview: How Mercedes lost and found its Northern Star in 2023
Hamilton interview: How Mercedes lost and found its Northern Star in 2023 Hamilton interview: How Mercedes lost and found its Northern Star in 2023
Why F1 2023's one-point wonder deserves a second chance
Why F1 2023's one-point wonder deserves a second chance Why F1 2023's one-point wonder deserves a second chance
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Why F1's 2023 Abu Dhabi GP finale wasn't a better race
Why F1's 2023 Abu Dhabi GP finale wasn't a better race Why F1's 2023 Abu Dhabi GP finale wasn't a better race
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.