Charles Leclerc is “assured” Ferrari can have a robust tempo at this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix as he bids for his first win of the 2024 Method One season.
Leclerc, second within the drivers’ championship behind Max Verstappen, has by no means completed on the rostrum at his house occasion.
The 26-year-old had a barely disappointing first a part of the season as he was overtaken by Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz, however third locations within the final two races at Miami and Imola gave him a lift in Monaco.
“Monaco is so particular that we have to begin a bit with a clear slate. Free observe is essential to progressively construct up the tempo. However I’m positive that we’ll be sturdy,” stated Leclerc.
“These are the identical roads I used to take the bus to high school once I was youthful. Now it is driving a Method 1 automobile. That makes her particular to me. So I am actually trying ahead to it. To be in Monaco is a really particular circuit, I feel for each driver, as a result of it is a very tough circuit and really particular for me as a result of it is my house race.”
The Curse of Monaco Leclerc
Most F1 drivers are profitable at their house observe, however Leclerc suffered a variety of misfortune in Monaco.
In 2018, throughout his first Monaco Grand Prix, he was pressured out of the race coming into the Nouvelle Chicane when Brendan Hartley hit him within the again. A 12 months later, Leclerc crashed out in Q1 and retired from the race as a result of contact with the wall at Rascasse.
He took pole place for Ferrari in 2021, regardless of being red-flagged in Q3 when he crashed on the pool chicane. Ferrari thought that they had fastened his automobile, however on race day the crew found an issue on the way in which to the grid and Leclerc was unable to begin as a result of a damaged drive shaft.
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Charles Leclerc has been livid with radio calls from his Ferrari crew over whether or not or to not pit for the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix
Twelve months later, Leclerc gained the race, however conceded to his rivals by means of technique and completed fourth. Final 12 months he began and completed sixth as moist climate performed havoc mid-race.
“Monaco is essential to me. It is true that it hasn’t been probably the most profitable race for me to this point. Nevertheless, the tempo has all the time been there and it provides me confidence that it will likely be the identical this 12 months,” continued Leclerc. .
Would a Monaco Ferrari match the invoice?
Sky Sports activities F1’s Karun Chandhok believes Monaco’s sluggish corners will swimsuit the SF-24 and sees no purpose why they should not problem Crimson Bull and McLaren for victory.
Ferrari’s third and fifth locations at Imola could not have been what the followers needed from their facelift, which debuted on the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. Nevertheless, each Leclerc and Sainz spoke positively concerning the updates working as deliberate.
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Sky Sports activities’ Ted Kravitz talks about Ferrari’s seven automobile upgrades forward of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
“The nice factor is that all the pieces we anticipated from these upgrades, we bought. From an information viewpoint, it did precisely what it was speculated to do, which is all the time good,” Leclerc stated.
“For some purpose we had a barely totally different energy technique in comparison with McLaren and Crimson Bull in qualifying at Imola and we misplaced all the pieces on the run to show two. Max additionally had a slipstream. However that is one thing we will have to determine as a result of, particularly on a observe like this, observe place is totally all the pieces.
“Once you solely have a tenth between Crimson Bull, McLaren and us, we have now to make all the pieces good.”
Leclerc with a brand new voice
Forward of Imola, Leclerc has modified race engineer after Xavier “Xavi” Marcos Padros switched roles. Marcos Padras, who has labored with Leclerc since 2019, has develop into a success with F1 followers for his “we’re checking” responses on crew radio.
Brian Bozzi is the brand new Monegasque driver engineer and Johannes Hatz is his efficiency engineer.
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Actor Hugh Grant reveals he is a Ferrari fan throughout the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
“It is all the time very tough while you change, particularly in the course of the season,” Leclerc stated.
“He needed to study a variety of new issues. I additionally had Johannes who was my efficiency engineer who was new to the observe.
“I had two individuals in my crew who have been new to their function and it was fairly tough at first, however they actually did an unimaginable job and it went rather well. Now we’ll work on it and attempt to get higher, however this can be a actually good begin.”
Sky Sports activities F1 schedule reside Monaco Grand Prix
Thursday, Might 23
12.05: Follow F3
13.30: press convention of F1 pilots
2.00pm: Follow F2
The Monaco Grand Prix is this Sunday at 2pm – reside on Sky Sports activities F1 and Sky Sports activities Important Occasion
Friday, Might 24
10am: F3 qualifying
12:00: First observe for the Monaco Grand Prix (session begins at 12.30)*
14:00: Qualifying F2*
15.45: Second observe of the Monaco Grand Prix (session begins at 16.00)*
17.30: F1 present
6:30 p.m.: Indy 500 closing observe
8:30 p.m.: Indy 500 pit cease race
Saturday, Might 25
9.40am: F3 dash
11.15: third observe of the Monaco Grand Prix (session begins at 11.30)*
13.10: Dash F2*
14:15: Qualifying for the Monaco GP*
15:00: Qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix*
5:00 p.m.: Ted’s choice pocket book
Sunday, Might 26
6.55am: F3 particular race
8.35am: F2 particular race
12.30: Sunday’s Grand Prix: Preparation for the Monaco Grand Prix*
14:00: MONACO GRAND PRIX*
4pm: Checkered flag: Monaco Grand Prix response
5:00 p.m.: Ted’s pocket book
5:30 p.m.: Indy 500
The time has come for probably the most well-known Method 1 race – the Monaco Grand Prix. Watch each session of the well-known road circuit from Friday reside on Sky Sports activities F1, with Sunday’s race at 2pm. Stream each F1 race and extra with NOW Sports activities Month membership – no contract, cancel anytime