Charles Leclerc, a rollercoaster 2023
It’s no secret that Scuderia Ferrari has disappointed expectations in the 2023 Formula 1 championship, as it was expected to challenge Red Bull after finishing second in both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships last season. The enthusiasm felt during the Valentine’s Day presentation quickly gave way to disappointment due to underwhelming performances on the track.
After ten races, the Maranello team is fourth in the Formula 1 constructors’ championship, trailing behind Aston Martin and Mercedes, and has only achieved two podium finishes. The only moments of joy came from Charles Leclerc’s third-place finish at the Baku City Circuit and his second-place finish in Austria at the Red Bull Ring. In particular, Charles Leclerc’s championship campaign has been a series of ups and downs, with only three top-five finishes and two retirements, placing him seventh in the standings, nine points behind his teammate Carlos Sainz, who has been more consistent in his results.
Charles Leclerc justifies Ferrari team radio communications
On several occasions during these races, Charles Leclerc has shown determination and sometimes criticism in his team radio communications with his engineer and the Ferrari pit wall. Many have questioned whether this is the right attitude to have, considering that these dialogues are available to the public. “Sometimes we don’t agree, but we are very honest with each other,” the Monegasque emphasized in a recent interview with British daily newspaper The Guardian during the race weekend at the Silverstone circuit, adding:
“I tell the team what I think, and the team tells me what they think. That’s the right way to move forward. I don’t think there has ever been a trust issue. Inside the cockpit, we have a very different view from what the team has on the pit wall, so these things happen.” – the Ferrari man pointed out.
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Seasons pass – this being Charles Leclerc’s sixth season in Formula 1 and fifth with Scuderia Ferrari — and the opportunity to fight for the championship is postponed year after year. But the Monegasque driver is not worried: “I am the first one who wants to fight for the title. But what is happening is not frustrating; on the contrary, I find it very motivating. I am even more motivated to change the state of things and bring Ferrari back to where it deserves to be, always at the top. And when we get there, it will be a very special moment. I don’t feel external pressure, but I am putting pressure on myself to succeed. I feel the responsibility to bring Ferrari back to the top.” Concluding on the boundless love of the fans for the Scuderia: “The passion people have for the team is unmatched. On one hand, it’s positive to have so much enthusiasm, but on the other hand, it makes things more challenging to manage because people are quite impatient.” – Charles Leclerc added in his interview for The Guardian.
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