In a recent interview for Motorsport Italy, Scuderia Ferrari Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc was asked about what went wrong in the 2022 Formula 1 season, his future with the Maranello team and much more.
Here is his full interview for the Italian media:
Do you still have moments when you say to yourself [I am a Ferrari driver] or is that all in the norm now?
Charles Leclerc: “I do remind myself of that, and especially every now and then I like to tell myself that I’m lucky to be where I am. It’s a quick thought, because immediately afterwards I think I still have a long way ahead of me. I’m happy with what I’ve done and being where I am, but I have many goals ahead of me, the first of which is to be world champion. From 2021 to 2022 we’ve taken a big step forward, but there’s still another big step to take to be able to aim for that goal.”
If someone had told you last winter that you would win three races, get on the podium seven more times, and get nine poles, would you have signed for that?
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Charles Leclerc: “No, I wouldn’t have because I would only sign for winning the world championship! But I would have been suspicious of this prediction, as 2020 and 2021 were two difficult years and to confirm a leap forward in performance like we did was the result of a lot of hard work. As the season goes on you tend to forget that, but last year there were weekends when finishing P7 was considered a good result. Today we always aim high, it didn’t always go as we wanted, but we are working to improve.”
This year you confirmed a great quali performance. Was it just the potential of the car on the single lap or did you also change something in your preparation?
Charles: “I think, as in every season, there is always a step forward on my part as well. I am a better driver than I was in 2021, just as I think I was last year than I was in 2020. When I realised I was going to have the opportunity to battle for poles and wins, I got even more charged up, even unconsciously it made me bring out the best in myself. But again, at the end of the day it’s a progression, from 2019 to now the biggest step I’ve taken is in race management, but it’s difficult to bring that out with such a strong Red Bull.”
Are you one of those drivers who reviews and studies the race on Monday?
Charles Leclerc: “I already watch it on Sunday night if I can download it before I’m on the plane, I like to do that because from the car you don’t have the overview of the race. You have an idea of your race and sometimes you don’t understand certain choices because you don’t know the conditions the opponents were in at that specific moment. So it’s useful, because you have the bigger picture.”
“At the beginning of the season our car in general was better than Red Bull. Then they took steps forward, we saw what they brought to the track on so many weekends, and from our side this led to a difference in performance between quali and the race. I think in terms of communication and strategy we have made progress, especially in the last few races, the team has done a great job on these aspects and I have seen progress. It hasn’t always been obvious because in some cases the right choices are less obvious, but I know that is the case. As far as tyre management is concerned we know what we are missing, and on some fronts I am already seeing progress..”
You are coming to the end of your fifth season in Formula 1. Is there one aspect you don’t like about the role you occupy today?
Charles Leclerc: “Maybe the only aspect I didn’t take into account was the judgments related to my private life. I’m not very exposed, but there are often judgments about the private lives that drivers lead, sometimes positive but also negative, and that’s not something I like..”
And between drivers, is it possible to build a friendly relationship?
Charles Leclerc: “It is rare but it is possible. The only truly friendly relationship I have in the paddock is with Pierre. We have known each other for many years and shared many experiences. That has bonded us a lot.”
On the podium in Austin, it was you Hamilton and Verstappen. Some people have pointed to that podium as the status of the current F1. Do you agree?
Charles Leclerc: “To be honest I don’t like these rankings. I like comparing myself on the track with them. I know Max well, and when I’ve battled with Lewis I’ve always had a sense of his experience, he knows what he’s doing. They are two completely different styles, but to answer your question, I won’t answer the question.”
How does it feel to race against Lewis? Is he an opponent like everybody else?
Charles Leclerc: “I have a lot of respect for everything he has achieved and for what he has done for the sport, but when we are on the track I see him as anyone else, he is an opponent you try to beat.”
Was there an episode, or a particular moment, that made you realise what it means to be a Ferrari driver?
Charles Leclerc: “Two moments come to mind, both from 2019. The first presentation of the car, which coincided with my official debut in red. I remember the amount of people who came for the event, and for me it was very emotional, and then the victory at Monza. Here I understood what it really means to be a Ferrari driver. I felt firsthand the passion that exists for this brand and for this team.”
Charles: “I think all the drivers had to change their driving style in some way this year because the cars are heavier. In the first few months I also had to adapt to the new cars and it wasn’t an immediate feeling. We did a great job during the pre-season tests, immediately finding what we needed to focus on and what these new cars needed in terms of driving. Already at the first race I felt good with the car. I had the feeling I could extract the maximum potential. Personally the aspect I liked the most is having a strong front end, and especially at the beginning of the season, the handling was just what I like [when driving].”
In 2023, people will start asking you about your future in Ferrari. Have you already thought about it?
Charles Leclerc: “I have a contract until the end of the 2024 season, and as of today I see this deadline as very far away. I have always loved Ferrari. I want to win a world title with Ferrari, and I want to do it as soon as possible. When the time comes to evaluate the future, I will think about it, but I love this team.”
You said you want to win a world championship asap. That sounds like you mean 2023!
Charles Leclerc: “Exactly! I know the president (John Elkann) said it is a goal to be achieved by 2026, but as a driver I cannot think about that deadline.”
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