“Pushed Like Madmen”: Despite the Missed Opportunity Haunting Him, Charles Leclerc Credits the Architects of His Austrian Exploits

When the dust from Q3 settled over the Red Bull Ring, one figure stood tall amidst the roar of engines and the applause of the crowd. It wasn’t P1, but his performance echoed way louder than that. The figure was none other than Monaco’s golden boy, Charles Leclerc.

The introduction of a cutting-edge front wing, changes to the front floor fences, the floor edge, the mid-floor, and the diffuser sidewall, and all marked a significant leap in their race performance. These alterations led to a redesign of the sidepod undercut, aiming for improved car efficiency. The Monegasque in his post-quali interview had nothing but high praise for the team behind this stellar push.

“It’s hard to put into words how much work there was in the factory to bring these upgrades earlier, the guys did an incredible job. They pushed like madmen.“ His commendation was directed at the recent improvements made by Ferrari. He also added, “I’m never happy with a 2nd place, not super happy (of me) but super happy of work of the team.”

Read More: “Didn’t Expect to Be So Close”: Despite Giving Max Verstappen a Mighty Scare, Charles Leclerc Focuses on Ferrari’s Achilles Heel Before the Ultimate Test

Leclerc, however, was not content with merely acknowledging the team’s efforts. His competitive spirit demanded more.

Charles Leclerc’s Unyielding Resolve

Despite their advancements, Ferrari trailed behind the Red Bull team in the Grand Prix. Yet, Leclerc’s comments after the race revealed an indomitable spirit that refused to accept a second place as a victory. “I’m never happy with a 2nd place,” he stated, a fiery glint in his eyes that spoke volumes about his relentless pursuit for the top spot on the podium.

In a post-qualifying press conference, Leclerc further expounded on the team’s progress, expressing his gratitude towards the team’s hard work, which he described as “really, really impressive.” His teammate, Carlos Sainz, echoed these sentiments, pointing out their recent progress and strong performance in the qualifying round.

Watch This Story | From Tom Cruise to Emily Ratajkowski: Celebrities to Drive an F1 Car

As the sun set over the Red Bull Ring, Leclerc’s words hang in the air, a testament to a race that was about to be more than just finishing first. His performance and the tenacity of the Ferrari team have set a thrilling narrative for the rest of the weekend. As we look forward to Sunday, one thing is certain: Charles Leclerc is not content with second place, and he won’t stop until he’s at the top.