Charles Leclerc feels he gave it his finest after qualifying in P2 for the 2022 F1 United States GP behind teammate Carlos Sainz.
Sadly, the Monegasque won’t be able to carry onto that place for the race after selecting up a 10-place grid penalty for taking up new Energy Unit (PU) parts.
Leclerc was the pacesetter within the first Free Observe session on Friday. He even seemed to be the sooner of the 2 Ferrari vehicles through the earlier phases of qualifying earlier than being outshone by Carlos Sainz. The Spaniard grew to become 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 concerning 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 troublesome, particularly with the wind. The automotive adjustments rather a lot from lap to lap, however general, I did my finest. The final lap wasn’t the very best. Carlos [Sainz] did a greater job right this moment and deserves to be on pole. I shall be beginning a bit additional again due to the penalty however the purpose is to attempt to come again on the entrance as shortly as attainable.”
He was then requested concerning the passing of Crimson Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz on the age of 78. The Monegasque replied:
“It’s extremely unhappy however other than every little thing he has completed in his profession which is unbelievable, he’s a human being and it’s a actually unhappy loss for motorsports. So, all my ideas go to their household and pals.”
When requested to share his plans for the race, Charles Leclerc admitted he can be able to take any alternative that presents itself however dominated out any unconventional dangerous conduct. He stated:
“Yeah, effectively I’ll give my finest as all the time. We’re once more beginning I feel twelfth or eleventh with the engine penalty now we have. So, yeah, I’ll give my finest. 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 received by drivers beginning on the entrance row, Charles Leclerc could have his work lower out for him beginning in P12.
The excessive tire degradation that’s usually seen in Austin doesn’t precisely bode effectively for the Ferrari F1-75, which has felt the brunt of this impact greater than as soon as this season.
Charles Leclerc is ‘equally gifted’ as Max Verstappen, claims former F1 driver
Charles Leclerc is simply as gifted 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 in charge of 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 workforce 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 relating 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 feel Charles [Leclerc] is equally gifted. I imply a few of his pole place laps that he put collectively this yr was simply unbelievable. I additionally suppose he has the race craft. In case you have an even bigger tyre degradation through the race there’s not a lot that you are able to do as a driver.”
Charles Leclerc has the very best pole report 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 a degree heading into the race in Austin.
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