For too a few years, Ferrari has watched others triumph in System 1, like a fallen noble observing from afar the lights of a ball to which it’s not invited. A incontrovertible fact that hurts multiple would possibly suppose. The 2024 System 1 season noticed the Prancing Horse return to competition for a title. The constructors’ championship was fought till the ultimate race in Abu Dhabi, although the trophy now adorns the show case in Woking. Irrespective of; there’s at all times subsequent time. Dwelling on the topic serves no goal anymore. Charles Leclerc suffered enormously from this defeat because the Monegasque driver believed in it like by no means earlier than.
Simply recall his response on the ultimate crew radio after crossing the end line of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in third place. The results of a shocking comeback, which, as we all know, was not sufficient attributable to Lando Norris’s victory. The Monegasque pounded his fists on the steering wheel all through the in-lap. His voice was choked with the despair of somebody who refused to simply accept a bitter outcome. Enduring defeat is a part of the sport. True. However when the winner is somebody you can have overwhelmed, swallowing yet one more bitter capsule isn’t really easy.
In 2025, Charles Leclerc will face his seventh System 1 season. He has achieved quite a few pole positions, 26, to be actual. The victories, nevertheless, are “solely” eight, contemplating that he has at all times pushed a automobile incapable of persistently preventing for wins all through the championship. Marrying Ferrari’s trigger was by no means easy, and he knew this properly when he signed the contract and its subsequent renewals. His want to win alongside the Maranello crew stays intact, and the aim for the upcoming season is evident: to complete forward of everybody and turn out to be world champion with the Prancing Horse.
Charles Leclerc can have Lewis Hamilton by his aspect beginning with the 2025 System 1 season. A lot has been mentioned concerning the hypothetical relationship between the 2. Ferrari crew principal Frederic Vasseur believes he can handle the well-known “two roosters within the henhouse,” simply as he did with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc. Nevertheless, the state of affairs is barely totally different. No offense to Carlos Sainz, however the Briton is in a league of his personal. We’re speaking a couple of seven-time System 1 world champion who has not come to chill out however to win, or at the very least that’s his aim. It can due to this fact be fascinating to see how this relationship is managed.
Particularly if Undertaking 677, anticipated to be named SF-25, seems to be a automobile able to acting at its finest and giving Ferrari’s drivers the possibility to struggle for each System 1 world titles. Charles Leclerc is pure expertise, similar to Lewis Hamilton. And that is exactly the issue that would create issues. Each need to win and can do no matter it takes to remain forward of the opposite always. Usually, reflecting on Lewis Hamilton’s stellar profession, one reality stands out: his persistently truthful habits, in distinction to different champions.
Sure, as a result of unsportsmanlike conduct or driving past the boundaries has by no means been a part of his repertoire. It is a trait value emphasizing. On this respect, Max Verstappen is solely totally different. Suppose again to 2021 when, in his battle with Lewis Hamilton, he adopted an aggressive method as soon as he took the lead within the drivers’ standings, with maneuvers geared toward contact. Charles Leclerc, too, has skilled this method and has just lately mirrored on the topic, contemplating a hypothetical future the place he would possibly discover himself contending for a championship.
Racing by Max Verstappen’s guidelines isn’t precisely Charles Leclerc’s fashion. Nevertheless, he declares himself able to adapt strategically. One thing akin to what Max Verstappen did with Lando Norris when the Briton was preventing for the drivers’ championship. Charles Leclerc’s mentality is prepared for a change as a result of, whereas equity should prevail, there are occasions when aggressiveness and a success-driven method could make the distinction. The Monegasque driver is hard. He is aware of how you can struggle fiercely and may’t wait to take action with anybody, supplied Ferrari provides him the possibility.
— see video above —
Purchase official Ferrari F1 merchandise!
Let different Scuderia Followers learn about us
