Charles Leclerc really need a Formula One break to clear the mind. His season got off to a very promising start, followed by his lead over title rivals. Max Verstappen mushroomed into a huge deficit.
Leclerc won two of the first three races for Ferrari like Verstappen’s Red Bull there are reliability woes. But a turn that hit a staggering 126 points over the next 10 races gave Verstappen an impenetrable 80-point lead against Belgium on Sunday. grand openingwhere the season continues.
It didn’t get off to a good start for Leclerc on Friday. He was put behind the grid for Sunday’s race because of numerous changes to the engine section. But Verstappen was among five other drivers who received similar penalties.
Mental stress builds up ahead of the summer break for Leclerc as he faces confusing team calls and becomes enraged at some of his own driving errors. The respite comes at the right time for a completely exhausted Leclerc.
“Yes, I need it. The first part of the season was full of highs or lows. There’s a lot of emotion that builds up that leads to fatigue,” he said. “I have spent these weeks in the best possible way with my family and friends. It is just wonderful. “
There is a lot of mental clutter that needs clearing.
Leclerc has seen two crucifixion wins disappear – at the Monaco GP and British GP – after team calls sent him falling from dominance to fourth.
At the Hungarian GP before the mid-season break, Verstappen passed the 10th worst qualifying round of the season but somehow managed to get the eighth win leading the way of the season. Another confusing tire strategy call cost Leclerc as he was in a dominant position and he finished Friday disappointingly – a week after beating himself for crashed car while leading the French GP.
But Leclerc, who leads with seven main positions this season, has unwavering faith.
“Of course I still believe in championships,” he said. “It will be a very difficult challenge but I will believe in it until the last minute.”
Unless Verstappen is plagued by reliability issues resulting in two DNFs in the first three races, Leclerc pretty much has to beat him in every remaining race. There are nine races going on, including this weekend’s GP.
Looks like impossible runs have been done before. Back in 2013, Sebastian Vettel won 9 races in a row after the break to claim his 4th title in a row.
“Easier said than done, but I will do my best,” said Leclerc, who won his first race at the same Spa-Francorchamps circuit in 2019.
The Spa, which is Verstappen’s favorite race track, is located near the heart of Leclerc. His victory came the next day F2 driver Anthoine Hubert died after a collision on the track.
“It is a very special song for me. I think for every driver, the first win is very special,” Leclerc said. I achieved it here in very strange conditions, given what happened on Saturday with Anthony.“
The Spa is one of seven original laps since the world championships opened in 1950. The 7 km (4.3 mi) lap nestled in the Ardennes woods is F1longest.
It is also good for overtaking, so it becomes one of the best circuits for taking engine penalties when the driver is able to reverse across the road. That was important with Leclerc and Verstappen being put behind the grid.
Lando Norris (McLaren), Esteban Ocon (Alpine), Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo) and Mick Schumacher (Haas) are the ones remaining to receive a penalty.
Their starting position on the grid will be determined by Saturday’s qualifiers.
Africa visit
Lewis Hamilton spent some time off in Africa, a trip he’s been planning since February.
“It’s where I want to go more than anywhere and I have to travel to a lot of different places,” Hamilton said.
The seven-time F1 champion also called it a “humble experience” to see people live with so few means.
“Like a house made of sticks, you know, literally branches, no shoes, no socks, and their everyday lives. Not with social media, and not with the stuff we all have in the Western world,” he said. “It doesn’t seem like they’re looking down on anything, which is actually quite nice to see.”
Hamilton owns a record 103 F1 championships but has no win this season. However, the British driver has gone up to the podium 5 times and believes Mercedes very close to victory.
“Sure. Of course, we’ve been improving, we’ve had consistency (during) recent races and great progress,” he said. “The car is becoming more and more a racing car, that is not especially what it is early. “
In Hungary, Mercedes put both of its cars on the podium for the second race in a row. Hamilton crossed his path from seventh to finishing in second, and babysitter George Russell is the third.
“The best performance we’ve had so far. It was a huge boost,” Hamilton said. “I believe we can bridge the gap.”
Sunday’s grid penalty will help Hamilton pay the price.
Lose weight
The remaining races of the season could be the last of Daniel Ricciardo’s F1 career, and he intends to make the most of them.
Australian driver will part with McLaren at the end of the year after the team bought the last year of his contract. He still wants to race F1 but that may not be the case as his options are limited for next season.
“After all this, there is a bit of weight to the shoulders. He said: “Despite the team made this decision, the team was behind me to help me get the most out of the last nine races and finish high… try it and have a go. get another Monza moment. “
Riccioardo’s victory at the Italian GP last September is the eighth of his career, and a rare high for McLaren.
First practice
Ferrari led the first training session with Carlos Sainz Jr ahead of Leclerc, and Verstappen finished third.
The session was flagged red for about 10 minutes after the engine in Kevin Magnussen’s Haas cut off on track. His car was towed off the tracks.
Liam Lawson replaces Frenchman Pierre Gasly in AlphaTauri. The 20-year-old New Zealander is a junior driver for Red Bull.
A second training session was scheduled for the following Friday.
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