Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc aims to break Interlagos curse and secure first podium in Brazil

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc aims to break Interlagos curse and secure first podium in Brazil. Charles Leclerc targets first podium finish in Brazil.

Charles Leclerc ready for Brazil
In the past two weekends, Scuderia Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has secured two podium finishes and 21 points, including the Austin Sprint race. However, aside from the results, the Monegasque driver is experiencing some frustration during the final triple-header of the 2023 Formula One season. Despite having clinched pole position twice, the SF-23 has succumbed to the attacks of Red Bull and Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes on Sunday due to a poor race pace. In Mexico, if Lando Norris had started further ahead, Charles Leclerc might not have reached the podium.

Scuderia Ferrari’s race pace remains an unresolved issue, especially when compared directly to Red Bull and Mercedes, which appeared much stronger after the modifications to the W14’s floor. In Brazil, Charles Leclerc aims to break the Interlagos jinx, where he has never stepped onto the podium.

Charles Leclerc’s words
“Securing a third consecutive pole position would be important, but Sunday always remains the priority because that’s where the points are earned, and that’s what we’re focusing on. We want to find positive performances that allow us to win. I would prefer to finish first in the race rather than claim another pole, even though at the moment, we don’t have the car to convert poles into significant race results. It’s very difficult to predict how this weekend will go, especially since it’s a Sprint weekend. Having good free practice sessions and gathering as much information as possible will be crucial.” – the Monegasque driver pointed out ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix.

“The Sprint format? If you make a mistake with the setup during practice, you can’t recover. I like the weekend with a short race, and I think six Sprints are the right number for each season. However, there’s something that needs to be changed for Saturday.” Furthermore, since they are in Ayrton Senna’s homeland, a tribute from Leclerc is inevitable. Even though he couldn’t witness Senna’s era, he has always appreciated his class: “He’s the only idol I’ve ever had on the track. I visited the headquarters of his foundation here in Sao Paulo, where I could see cars and helmets that belonged to him, along with his family. It was a very emotional moment for me.” – Scuderia Ferrari Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc concluded.