Charles Leclerc keeps faith in Ferrari's constructors' championship aspirations before Abu Dhabi GP
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – Ferrari faces an uphill battle in their pursuit of the coveted constructors' title, a victory that has eluded them since 2008. Despite the daunting odds, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc remains undeterred, banking on what he describes as a potential miracle to overturn their fortunes.
With Leclerc relegated to the back of the grid due to a combination of qualifying struggles and a grid penalty, and his teammate Carlos Sainz positioned in a more favorable third, Ferrari trails behind McLaren by 21 points. The McLaren duo of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri capitalizing on their qualifying prowess, are set to lead the pack from the front row.
Leclerc, reflecting on the challenge ahead, stated, "I believe in miracles. It certainly complicates matters, but I view it as a chance to achieve something truly extraordinary." Despite the setback in qualifying which saw him fall to 19th place after a lap time deletion and a subsequent 10-place penalty for a battery change, Leclerc's spirits remain unbroken. "I'll keep believing until the very last lap," he affirmed, adding, "Anything can happen."
The Monegasque driver lamented the outcome of the qualifying session but emphasized his unchanged objective: "My goal remains to win the constructors' championship. And my belief in our chances is as strong as ever, despite the obvious difficulties on paper."
Carlos Sainz, starting from a stronger position, hints at an aggressive strategy for the race. "We have to go for it tomorrow," said Sainz, who sees the need for an assertive approach to overcome McLaren and clinch the constructors' title. He highlighted the significance of the team effort behind their campaign, "Every single person in the team makes a difference. It’s about making those individuals feel their contribution is vital."
The constructors' championship, often overshadowed by the drivers' championship, is receiving deserved attention this weekend, according to Sainz. A visit to a Formula 1 factory, he suggested, can provide insight into why the constructors' battle is fundamental to the sport. "Over a thousand people work tirelessly to push our limits forward, and as drivers, we are just the final piece," he explained.
As the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix unfolds, Ferrari’s bid for a miraculous turnaround in the constructors' championship adds an intriguing layer to the season's finale, with Leclerc and Sainz at the heart of their hopeful narrative.
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