Formula 1 is a world that moves fast. With this in mind, Charles Leclerc and Ferrari must put their Monaco victory behind them. As the Scuderia continues working on its 2024 project, F1’s technical rules for 2026 have been released. As ever, the Monegasue wants to focus on the task ahead. He is eager to optimise the SF-24 this weekend in Canada.
“We celebrated on Sunday with the whole team, because winning meant a lot for me but also for the team. But from Monday, we turned the page. We put the good things aside, and we immediately concentrated on the next race,” Leclerc told the media in Canada.
LECLERC: “MONACO SPECIAL, BUT WE HAVE TO MOVE ON”
At the circuit named after Gilles Villeneuve, Charles Leclerc has clear intentions. He is still happy with the ‘hangover’ of success at home in Monte Carlo. Still, he remains hungry to continue fighting for victories consistently:
“It was an important victory, but as a driver, I have to try to be as unemotional as possible. Don’t overreact in the difficult moments, and don’t exalt me in the good ones, like Monaco was.”
The Monegasque reiterated how, in Formula 1, you are only ‘as good as the last race’. Although Ferrari and Leclerc are benefiting from this at the moment, the 26-year-old emphasised the importance of staying grounded:
Leclerc answered very directly to questions about a possible Championship fight:
“It’s early, and I’m not thinking about it. I think Red Bull still has something more than the others, and they will come back strong.
“We must exploit the opportunities and do our best.” This is a sentiment that Fred Vasseur has echoed, with the Frenchman praising Ferrari for becoming better at capitalising on opportunities.
“We are the team that has improved the most in the last 7-8 months, and the results we are obtaining are the fruit of the hard work that has taken place up to this moment.
“However, we must continue to improve and be fighting for the victory every weekend.” Leclerc’s determination is clear, as is the objective for this ninth round of the season. “It can be a positive weekend, we must be ready to take advantage of the opportunities.”
CANADA DOESN’T SUIT RED BULL, FERRARI WANTS TO OPTIMISE THE SF-24
Ferrari is seen by competitors, including Helmut Marko, as the favourite in Canada. The SF-24’s ability to deal with bumps and kerbs is a big reason for this sentiment – even if the track has been resurfaced and the road surface is smoother.
“It has always been, even in the past, one of our strengths. With this car, we have greatly improved the handling and consistency, maintaining strong points such as the kerbs,” explained Leclerc, answering questions on circuit characteristics and how his SF-24 could adapt to the track.
“I don’t expect to see 20-second gaps here. There’s also the weather unknown. We must try to take advantage of the opportunities.”
Specifically, Charles Leclerc thinks that the last three circuits have not been suited to the RB20. He expects the reigning Champions to become more competitive at venues that are kinder to their 2024 challenger.
“From Spain, I think we will see a very strong Red Bull again,” stated the Monegasque driver. However, the Scuderia has confidence in its potential after Imola and also while waiting for the new updates currently scheduled for Silverstone.
“The weekend can be positive for us. We need to optimise our potential and do our best, [whilst] waiting for the updates that could also put us ahead of Red Bull in the future.”
