Charles Leclerc Plays Chess With Max Verstappen & Co. Ahead of Blurred F1 Performance Runs in Jeddah

As an athlete, one of the first things to learn is how to succeed in their chosen sport. However, the key to success in any sport is a positive attitude, which each of our F1 drivers unquestionably has in abundance. To give you an example, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, who experienced a DNF because of an engine issue at the Bahrain GP, has high hopes for the upcoming Saudi Arabia GP. Not only this, but the Monegasque driver had tried to play a mind game with Max Verstappen and co.

In the practice session, Max Verstappen again sets the standard. However, all eyes were on Ferrari who, after almost missing the podium, also had engine issues at the Sakhir track. It turned out that the new SF-23’s control electronics had malfunctioned, making it the second instance of this happening. As a result, the team will now be taking a third version, which will result in a ten-place grid penalty for the Monegasque driver.

Even though Charles Leclerc finished 9th in FP2 and 11th in FP1, the Ferrari driver is optimistic and claims that things may not be as bad as they seem. As per Formula1.com, Leclerc said, ” Well, I don’t think we are that bad, honestly, the feeling is pretty good, but very difficult to read into the performance because everybody’s doing very different things with power, weight, etcetera probably more different than other years.”

Leclerc further added, ” So it’s a bit more difficult to read the Friday free practice sessions. But the feeling was quite okay and the race pace seems to be better than Bahrain, so that’s positive. We have quite a bit in the locker – [as for] how much, let’s see. I am sure Red Bull also have something still hidden so we’ll see tomorrow.”

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There are many things happening in the Ferrari camp, and it appears that there is a civil war raging there rather than just a regular difference of opinion. Charles Leclerc, however, decided to voice his opinions in the wake of these circumstances.

Charles Leclerc clarifies the rumors surrounding the unrest

There have been rumors circulating since the Monegasque retired from the season-opening race at the Sakhir circuit that Leclerc had met with Ferrari president John Elkann to discuss the team. However, the team’s present crisis has further fueled these rumors, as the team just lost David Sanchez, the head of the vehicle concept. There are also hints that race director Laurent Mekies may potentially depart the team as a result of a disagreement with Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna.

Leclerc cleared the air by denying all unrest of rumors and adding that the claims about his and Elkann’s meeting were false. As quoted by MSN.com, the Ferrari driver said, “There have been loads of rumours around the team, 90% of them were completely unfounded. I don’t know where it’s coming from. We just need to be on it and [be] focused on ourselves.”

While reacting to the stories of his meet, he said, ” we had a meeting with the whole team, with all the Ferrari employees, and I was really surprised.”

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It’s hardly encouraging to see a driver with championship aspirations getting a DNF in the opening race. Yet, considering Leclerc’s character, he will want to work towards closing the points gap in the Saudi GP. Having said that, do you believe Leclerc can make a U-turn at the Jeddah circuit?