Charles Leclerc feels he gave it his greatest after qualifying in P2 for the 2022 F1 United States GP behind teammate Carlos Sainz.
Sadly, the Monegasque will be unable to carry onto that place for the race after selecting up a 10-place grid penalty for taking over new Energy Unit (PU) elements.
Leclerc was the pacesetter within the first Free Follow session on Friday. He even seemed to be the quicker of the 2 Ferrari automobiles throughout the earlier phases of qualifying earlier than being outshone by Carlos Sainz. The Spaniard turned the primary Ferrari driver to clinch pole place on the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) since F1 began racing right here in 2012.
Whereas in dialog with Danica Patrick following the session, Charles Leclerc opened up in regards to the obstacles he confronted in placing the lap collectively, admitting that the weather did him no favors. The 25-year-old stated:
“It’s clearly actually tough, particularly with the wind. The automobile adjustments so much from lap to lap, however total, I did my greatest. The final lap wasn’t one of the best. Carlos [Sainz] did a greater job immediately and deserves to be on pole. I shall be beginning a bit additional again due to the penalty however the objective is to attempt to come again on the entrance as shortly as attainable.”
He was then requested in regards to the passing of Crimson Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz on the age of 78. The Monegasque replied:
“It’s extremely unhappy however aside from the whole lot he has executed in his profession which is unimaginable, he’s a human being and it’s a actually unhappy loss for motorsports. So, all my ideas go to their household and associates.”
When requested to share his plans for the race, Charles Leclerc admitted he could be able to take any alternative that presents itself however dominated out any unconventional dangerous conduct. He stated:
“Yeah, properly I’ll give my greatest as all the time. We’re once more beginning I believe twelfth or eleventh with the engine penalty now we have. So, yeah, I’ll give my greatest. No loopy dangers but when there is a chance, I shall be right here to take it.”
Contemplating that each F1 race on the COTA has solely been gained by drivers beginning on the entrance row, Charles Leclerc can have his work lower out for him beginning in P12.
The excessive tire degradation that’s usually seen in Austin doesn’t precisely bode properly for the Ferrari F1-75, which has felt the brunt of this impact greater than as soon as this season.
Charles Leclerc is ‘equally proficient’ as Max Verstappen, claims former F1 driver
Charles Leclerc is simply as proficient as two-time world champion Max Verstappen within the eyes of former F1 driver Christian Klien.
Leclerc began the season sturdy and seemed to be answerable for the 2022 F1 Drivers World Championship battle for the opening 5 rounds. That was earlier than his and Ferrari’s season began to unravel with technical and strategic errors from the staff in addition to particular person errors from the 25-year-old.
This allowed Max Verstappen to say the 2022 crown at a canter in Suzuka, with the ultimate nail within the coffin coming from a mistake from Leclerc on the final lap of the 2022 F1 Japanese GP.
Regardless of the apparent gulf in factors between Leclerc and Verstappen this season, Klien feels the pair are on par with regards to expertise behind the wheel. Whereas in dialog throughout an episode of the F1 Nation podcast within the build-up to the 2022 F1 US GP, the Austrian stated:
“I believe Charles [Leclerc] is equally proficient. I imply a few of his pole place laps that he put collectively this 12 months was simply unbelievable. I additionally suppose he has the race craft. In case you have an even bigger tyre degradation throughout the race there’s not a lot that you are able to do as a driver.”
Charles Leclerc has one of the best pole document in 2022 however Max Verstappen has extra wins from these poles than the Monegasque himself.
Having misplaced the title to the Dutchman, Leclerc is now locked in a battle with Crimson Bull’s Sergio Perez to attempt to declare P2 within the standings. The pair is separated by solely some extent heading into the race in Austin.
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