The Monegasque is preparing for his home grand prix: “Maybe in another team I could have won more, but without the trust that the Red team gave me I don’t know if I would be here”
Montecarlo is his home and Charles Leclerc he arrives at the Monaco Grand Prix fresh from his renewal with Ferrari. The season that began recently did not go as the Monegasque hoped, but there is optimism for the future, Charles is convinced that his SF-26 can grow and get closer to the absolute dominating Mercedes of the first races with a rising star of Formula 1, Kimi Antonelli, who is dominating the World Championship thanks to his talent and a Mercedes that is faster than anyone else. Leclerc released a long interview on motorsport.com in which he explained why he decided to stay at Ferrari: “I believe that every renewal is always evaluated with due attention and, in this case, it was no different than the previous ones. The main aspect is to believe in the project. As for the love I have for this team, it’s no longer something I have to question; so, from that point of view I didn’t have to think much. Then there is Fred (Vasseur): we have a unique relationship and I have great confidence that he is the right person to bring Ferrari back to the top. There are also the signs we saw this year. We are behind Mercedes, it’s true, but I see a lot of innovation. In Maranello there is a group that is pushing hard, trying to think differently than in the past, even outside the box. We saw new solutions on the single-seater and this gave me further confidence, convincing me that this is the team I want to be with. So, in addition to the love for Ferrari, which is something obvious, there was also a reasoning. As has always happened at every renewal.”
Always Ferrari
No doubts about the fact that he wanted to remain a Maranello driver, Leclerc confesses that he never took into consideration the offers that came from other teams. “I’ve never really considered alternatives. There have certainly been conversations, also because after ten years in this paddock relationships are created that go beyond the simple professional sphere. Sometimes there are discussions that I consider natural, but I can confirm that they are issues that concern Nicolas much more than me. As far as I’m concerned, and I want to say this, what I wanted to do has always been very clear.” When the new agreement with Ferrari expires Leclerc will be 31 years old, but that moment is still too far away and Charles doesn’t want to speculate on his future: “I love this sport and I consider myself very lucky to be able to do what I’m doing. But it is difficult to have a clear vision of the future, imagine how I will feel in two, three, five or ten years. It depends on many things. Formula 1 has always been the most important thing in my life, but I am also a person who loves family and today I don’t know where I will be or what my situation will be in a few years. There may be aspects that can influence my overall vision.”
More victories
Eight victories in eight seasons cannot be a satisfactory balance sheet for an ambitious driver like Leclerc, who at times (especially last year) seemed a little frustrated at not being able to compete with the best. “Surely I would like to have more victories and I would like to have won a World Championship. These are things I don’t have yet. But I had the chance to race for the team that has always made me dream. And I also think about loyalty towards the people who helped me at a crucial moment in my career, allowing me to get to where I am today. If Ferrari hadn’t believed in me, I don’t know if I would be here now. It’s a very important thing for me. Of course, I would like to have more successes on my CV, but I believe that everyone always wants something more, even when they have already won a lot. It’s true that victories and the world title are what I miss and what I would like to conquer. I hope it happens soon.”
