Ferrari's revival fuels Leclerc's F1 title aspirations

Dominika Jordan
Oct 1, 2024, 09:48 AM ET

Charles Leclerc optimistic about Ferrari's F1 title chances

Ferrari's upward trajectory has Charles Leclerc daring to dream of a Formula 1 championship battle in the near future. The Monegasque driver's excitement was palpable during a recent interview, where he asserted Ferrari's ambitions for a title challenge in 2025. "That will be the headline!" Leclerc quipped with a knowing smile.

Behind the scenes in Azerbaijan, Leclerc offered insight into his confidence in Ferrari's trajectory. The Italian team has been in pursuit of a championship for the better part of 16 years, and while targeting the title is a ritual, the belief behind it has energised Leclerc. “Yes,” he said unflinchingly when asked if this goal was realistic, a sentiment echoed by his laughter as he foresaw the quote headlining any piece on the topic.

At the core of Leclerc's optimism lies his trust in team principal Frédéric Vasseur. With their shared history dating back to Leclerc’s F1 debut with Sauber in 2018, the appointment of Vasseur as Mattia Binotto's successor heralded a renewed hope for Ferrari. Leclerc believes that Vasseur's nuanced approach, focusing on marginal gains rather than sweeping changes, has been instrumental in laying the foundations for future success.

A season of promise

While the 2023 season was dominated by Max Verstappen and Red Bull, leaving Leclerc without a single race win, signs of revival were visible. Victories at his home circuit in Monaco and again at Monza provided cause for optimism. Rivals McLaren, however, have surged past Ferrari, positioning Lando Norris as the closest contender to Verstappen as the season nears its climax.

“Every season that we go into, we always think about and target the title," Leclerc explained, coupling ambition with the stark reality of fierce competition. "McLaren, especially in the second part of this season, have been impressive -- but we are understanding quite a lot of things. We just need time to bring those in the form of upgrades on the car."

With his gaze set firmly on a series of future campaigns promising progress, Leclerc has ambitious goals that stretch well beyond the immediate future. "The goal is to always make it better, so I would say that '25 will be good, '26 will be better, and '27 will be even better," he noted, mindful of competition, yet confident in Ferrari's forward momentum.

A major shift is set for 2025 as Leclerc partners with the sport's most decorated driver, Lewis Hamilton. Ferrari's coup of enticing Hamilton from Mercedes signifies a bold step forward. While Hamilton brings a legacy of seven world championships, Leclerc’s recent wins and steadfast resolve effectively narrow the gap.

"I will be super curious to see what he has done right for all his career," Leclerc says, eager to learn from Hamilton's successes. "It's going to be very interesting to be able to actually look at the data and know that whatever he does I can do, because we have the same car."

Their partnership transcends competition, with shared interests fostering a budding friendship alongside their roles at Ferrari. "We have a very good relationship and I'm sure it will stay that way," Leclerc revealed, highlighting their mutual respect.

Ultimately, for Leclerc, the focus remains on the process rather than outcomes. "I always like to focus a lot more on the process to try and achieve great things," he reflected, underscoring a mindset geared towards incremental improvement, both personally and for the iconic Scuderia Ferrari. With the elements of a thrilling new chapter assembling, Leclerc's pursuit of glory aligns with Ferrari's resolute march back to prominence on the grandest stage of them all.

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Ferrari's revival fuels Leclerc's F1 title aspirations

Charles Leclerc optimistic about Ferrari's F1 title chances