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 now not invited. A indisputable fact that hurts multiple would possibly assume. The 2024 System 1 season noticed the Prancing Horse return to rivalry 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 all the time subsequent time. Dwelling on the topic serves no objective anymore. Charles Leclerc suffered vastly from this defeat because the Monegasque driver believed in it like by no means earlier than.
Simply recall his response on the ultimate staff radio after crossing the end line of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in third place. The results of a surprising comeback, which, as we all know, was not sufficient as a consequence of 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 just accept a bitter consequence. Enduring defeat is a part of the sport. True. However when the winner is somebody you may have crushed, swallowing yet one more bitter tablet 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 all the time pushed a automotive incapable of persistently combating 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 need to win alongside the Maranello staff stays intact, and the purpose for the upcoming season is evident: to complete forward of everybody and grow to be world champion with the Prancing Horse.
Charles Leclerc can have Lewis Hamilton by his facet beginning with the 2025 System 1 season. A lot has been mentioned in regards to the hypothetical relationship between the 2. Ferrari staff 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. Nonetheless, 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 least that’s his purpose. It’ll due to this fact be fascinating to see how this relationship is managed.
Particularly if Venture 677, anticipated to be named SF-25, seems to be a automotive able to acting at its finest and giving Ferrari’s drivers the prospect to battle for each System 1 world titles. Charles Leclerc is pure expertise, identical to Lewis Hamilton. And that is exactly the issue that might create issues. Each wish 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 bounds has by no means been a part of his repertoire. This can be a trait price emphasizing. On this respect, Max Verstappen is totally totally different. Assume again to 2021 when, in his battle with Lewis Hamilton, he adopted an aggressive strategy as soon as he took the lead within the drivers’ standings, with maneuvers aimed toward contact. Charles Leclerc, too, has skilled this strategy and has 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 model. Nonetheless, he declares himself able to adapt strategically. One thing akin to what Max Verstappen did with Lando Norris when the Briton was combating 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 strategy could make the distinction. The Monegasque driver is hard. He is aware of the way to battle fiercely and might’t wait to take action with anybody, offered Ferrari offers him the prospect.
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