Leclerc insists he would never swap Ferrari for 'UNBEATABLE' Red Bull
Leclerc insists he would never swap Ferrari for 'UNBEATABLE' Red Bull
Charles Leclerc has insisted that he would ‘never’ swap places with Max Verstappen as the Ferrari driver defended his allegiance to the struggling Ferrari team.
After being touted at the beginning of last season as a serious contender to Verstappen, Leclerc went on to win three races before it became clear that the Red Bull held the advantage.
And this season so far, the Scuderia has continued to struggle, with strategy errors and bad luck impacting results. Leclerc has managed P3 finishes in Azerbaijan and Belgium, but it looks unlikely that the team will be able to beat out a Red Bull in the near future.
Yet Leclerc’s loyalty to the legendary Italian outfit seems not to have wavered, as he confirmed that becoming world champion with Ferrari is his goal.
The Monegasque driver told La Repubblica he would not swap to Red Bull if given the choice, saying: “If I think about the comparison with Verstappen? Yes and no. I would never change my position with him.
“Being a Ferrari driver has always been my dream, and becoming world champion with Ferrari is my goal."
He added: “I don't have the car to fight Max right now, but I have no doubt my path is right. I will watch my career when I stop, but I have no regrets; I am happy in the Ferrari.”
Asked about the team’s chances for the rest of the year, and if an elusive race win may be within reach, Leclerc responded: ”If there is hope to win a race? Every time I close the visor, I think only of victory. Realistically? It isn't easy at the moment. There is so much to improve. We need consistency.
“Mainly to stay ahead of the teams that chase and aim for the second place constructors. Then, we will look for the unbeatable Red Bull.”
Leclerc: My relationship with Vasseur is direct
Leclerc also praised the work of Fred Vasseur, Ferrari’s new team principal.
Vasseur replaced Mattia Binotto after the 2022 season, and Leclerc highlighted the Frenchman’s ‘different method of work’ and his ‘sincerity’ as key reasons for him being a good fit.
The driver said of Vasseur: ”I agree with all his plans. He brings a different method of work than Mattia Binotto; it is interesting to see the point of view of those who, from the outside, make you see things you have not noticed before in so many years.
“Our relationship is direct; it speaks to me openly without prevaricating, which helps me as a driver. It's not that I missed it before, but there is this sincerity with Fred.”
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F1 Standings
Drivers
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Nyck De Vries
- Liam Lawson
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2023
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023
- Grand Prix of Australia 2023
- Grand Prix of China 2023
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2023
- Miami Grand Prix 2023
- Qatar Airways Gran Premio Del Made In Italy E Dell'emilia Romagna 2023
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2023
- AWS Gran Premio de España 2023
- Grand Prix du Canada 2023
- Grand Prix of Austria 2023
- Aramco Grand Prix of Great Britain 2023
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2023
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2023
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2023
- Grand Prix of Italy 2023
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2023
- Grand Prix of Japan 2023
- Qatar Grand Prix 2023
- Grand Prix of the United States 2023
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2023
- Rolex Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2023
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2023
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