In a recent interview for La Gazette de Monaco, Scuderia Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc talked about the Maranello team’s updates for the F1-75 car, the difficulties encountered by his teammate Carlos Sainz in this first part of the 2022 Formula 1 season, his series of bad luck in the Monaco Grand Prix and much more.
Here is the full interview of Charles Leclerc for La Gazette de Monaco:
How would you sum up these first months of competition?
Charles Leclerc: “Honestly, the assessment is extremely good. I am very happy with the work I have done since the beginning of the season. There were some races where we were a bit less competitive than Red Bull. I can’t forget the retirement in Barcelona and the mistake in Imola, but otherwise it’s very positive. I am happy with the way we are working in the team.”
Does your approach change depending on whether you are the hunter or the hunted?
Charles Leclerc: “It doesn’t change anything for me. Yes, we lost the championship lead and of course I would have preferred to arrive at home being leader, but it is a detail at this time of the season. Barcelona gave us a share of answers and it was overall very positive, excluding the problem which cost us the race. My approach remains unchanged and I will give 110% as I have since the start of the year. Of course, Monaco is a very special Grand Prix for me because it’s at home, but we can’t overdo it and continue our momentum from the start of the season.”
Have the upgrades introduced in Spain worked?
Charles Leclerc: “The upgrades on the car have really been positive, because they have helped us to gain in performance. Everything worked as we expected. This is very good news because this is not always the case in Formula 1. Yes, we had less tyre degradation in Barcelona but after one race, it’s still a little premature to say if it’s really fixed. One thing is certain: we have taken a step in the right direction.”
Did you expect Carlos to struggle so much?
Charles Leclerc: “Carlos is a very good driver, he proved it last year. He had some difficulties in the first races but I think it’s only a matter of time. Soon he will be just as comfortable in the car to join us in the battle for the win.”
Should we expect Mercedes to join the title fight?
Charles Leclerc: “I think it will be more between Red Bull and Ferrari. Atm Mercedes are still a little behind even though they have made progress, but a team like this can never really be left out of this debate.”
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Charles Leclerc on the potential of losing the Monaco Grand Prix from the Formula 1 calendar in future years:
“For me it is impossible that there is no more Monaco GP. I think there are some mythical circuits in Formula 1 and this one is completely one of them. We must preserve this historical heritage of our sport, but also for the Principality. I have already spoken widely on the subject and in any case the decision-makers do not need to ask me the question to know my position. I am for keeping the Monaco Grand Prix and I think I am not the only one for whom it is special. It’s true that I never really had any luck in Monaco, but on the other hand, I don’t believe in bad luck. I am for balance in life and I am sure that all the misadventures I have had here will end up being great stories. Let’s hope that the luck will turn this year, because every point counts. As with the retirement on Sunday, you have to tell yourself that this is motorsport and that these can happen. When I’m in the car I won’t think about it and I shouldn‘t change my approach.” – the Monegasque driver concluded.
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