Ferrari’s return in 2021 is not a surprise to Leclerc
The driver rediscovers pleasure behind the wheel of his car, achieving two pole positions and narrowly missing victory at Silverstone. He is eagerly awaiting 2022.
After a catastrophic 2020 season for Ferrari, the Italian team has come back a little stronger this season. For Charles Leclerc, it’s not a surprise to see Ferrari once again fighting at the top of the table. While Red Bull and Mercedes are currently out of reach, he can still sneak in and get podiums, as evidenced by his second-place finish at Silverstone. It was a close call for him to win this Grand Prix, but the gap between Ferrari and Mercedes is too big.
It’s better than expected. There is a lot of work behind it, and I can see it every time I go to Maranello. So it’s not a total surprise. There is a big improvement compared to last year. It’s great to see and it shows that we are doing something right in our way of working.
The road back to the top is still long. Ferrari’s progress is reassuring for the future. The team is currently ranked third tied with McLaren with 163 points. For comparison, the Italian team finished sixth with 131 points in 2020. Leclerc is counting on his team’s work to compete with the top of the Championship.
« This is not the end and we aim to return to the top. We simply do not really focus on expectations. We simply focus on the work to be done in Maranello and on the track, trying to maximize everything to be back where we want to be as soon as possible.
A complementary duo
Since the beginning of the season, the Monegasque has had to compete with a new teammate, Carlos Sainz, whose arrival is beneficial for Leclerc. The two drivers form a great duo and together, they achieve good performances. He explains that this change allows him to gain some experience to be ready for next year, without forgetting however this year to maximize the team’s results.
« I am enjoying this season. It’s not an easy phase for the team. We are trying to rebuild everything to get back to the top as soon as possible. It was the first year with Carlos Sainz as a teammate. It’s going very well. We are pushing each other upwards and he is very competitive. It’s great for me. »
