Charles Leclerc has won two of the three races held at the start of the 2022 Formula 1 year, and is the outstanding leader of the general classification over George Russell and his teammate Carlos Sainz.
However, as the teams are still investigating the behavior of the cars in the new technical regulations, there is a chance that someone will find the key and there will be a big change in the natural order.
Ferrari has not been involved in this development war for several years, when it succumbed to Mercedes during the middle of the 2018 season. The challenge and goal of those from Maranello remains the same, to win the drivers’ and constructors’ titles that have been elusive for more than a decade and a half.
That is why Leclerc trusts his team, and assures that they are in a better position to face the fight than before: “Keeping up with Red Bull in terms of development is going to be difficult, but it is the same group that made this car (the F1-75) will work like this, so I am confident”.
“There is no reason for us to be on a tightrope because we have done a great job, or in Maranello is where they have done it, building this car this season,” said the current championship leader.
“There are some developments on the way, and I am confident they will go in the right direction,” Leclerc said. “I wouldn’t focus too much on others, just on ourselves.”
The key to moving forward, according to the Monegasque, is that Ferrari has a much better database to know the areas in which it needs to act: “Over the last two years, I have seen a jump in the way we have analyzed each end of the week, in how we have identified our weak points and how quick we have been to react in the places where we suffered.
“I am confident that the team can do a great job of development this year,” continued the 24-year-old, who is leading the Formula 1 world championship for the first time, but who feels prepared so that the pressure does not affect him.
“I’ve been in this situation in the lower categories, but being like this in F1 means a lot, especially after these last few seasons and with a team like Ferrari,” he said. “The feeling is incredible.”
“The mentality is a bit different compared to the last two years, because now I know that behind me I have a car capable of winning,” he said. “I don’t have to go overboard or do something extremely special and spectacular to get one or two positions because I know it’s in the car and I just have to do the job.
