Charles Leclerc ready to do anything to be competitive in 2022
The Monegasque admitted to being ready to sacrifice his current season to return to the front next year.
This year, Ferrari’s performances have taken a huge leap forward. At the dawn of the Silverstone Grand Prix, the Scuderia already has 122 points, which is almost as many as in the entire 2020 season (131).
This improvement in performance can be explained in particular by an enhancement of the engine, which gained a few extra horsepower this winter, but also by the very good balance of the SF21, as highlighted by Charles Leclerc in the Beyond The Grid podcast.
« The strong point, I think, is our balance. In general, I think we do a very good job of setting up the car just right to have good balance. And that helps us on many occasions. I think it’s also one of the reasons why we are so quick in qualifying, explains the Monegasque.
Even if the Ferrari is more competitive than last year and Charles Leclerc as well as Carlos Sainz have shone on several occasions this season, the drivers have nevertheless experienced some setbacks, as in France where they were not in the Top 10.
« But at the same time, we struggle to know how to set up the car to be at its best level during the race. We saw it at Paul Ricard, where it was a great disappointment, a big surprise, obviously, to have such difficulties during the race. But we showed that we could turn the situation around. Then last week in Austria, we had a very good pace, but slightly less in qualifying. », adds Charles Leclerc
« Therefore, we have this compromise that is difficult to establish, we have not yet found the right balance. But we are working on it, and we are working well. So I hope that we will be able to find the right balance.
The Ferrari driver was also questioned about the 2022 season, which will see F1 enter a new era. The Monegasque stated that he would like to return to the front lines and that for this, he would be willing to sacrifice his current season. He nevertheless points out that the new regulations will be an opportunity for all other teams.
If you were to give me a contract allowing to sacrifice 2021 to be competitive in 2022, I would gladly sign. But unfortunately, no one has this guarantee.
« I think it’s clear for everyone. 2022 will be a huge opportunity for everyone. These cars will remain for many years after that. This year, okay, we are still fighting with McLaren for the third place among the constructors, but in the end, we know that our goal is to fight for the first place very, very quickly. Therefore, I am willing to give up the third place among the constructors in 2021 to fight for the first in 2022. »,” he concluded.
