Charles Leclerc has revealed a newfound confidence in Ferrari’s ability to tackle the Formula 1 title race pressure, saying the team is now in a stronger position to handle the “outside noise” surrounding their 2024 title hopes. After leading Ferrari to an impressive 1-2 victory at the United States Grand Prix, Leclerc is adamant that the Italian team can set its sights on securing the Constructors’ Championship.
Ferrari’s fourth win of the season in Austin has pulled it within eight points of Red Bull in the standings, with McLaren leading the pack by 48 points. The victory has fueled optimism within the team, reigniting dreams of ending Ferrari’s championship drought dating back to 2008. While Leclerc, who finished runner-up to Max Verstappen in 2022, still faces a steep climb in the Drivers’ Championship, trailing by 79 points with five rounds to go, he’s confident in Ferrari’s resilience this season.
Leclerc, now seasoned in handling Ferrari’s unique pressures, explained how he and the team have grown since his debut with them in 2019. “I think I’ve learned to deal with it,” Leclerc shared. “The passion within Ferrari is one of our greatest assets, but it also brings intense emotions. Highs can feel supercharged, but the lows are harder to manage. We’ve worked on this, and I believe we’re much less influenced by outside pressures than we were years ago. Inside the team, we’re simply motivated and focused on our objectives.”
Since the summer break, Leclerc has been Ferrari’s most consistent points scorer, with four podiums in five races, including his third win this season in Austin. His recent performance has added 98 points, the highest tally of any driver since the break. Ferrari’s consistency, he says, is key to its championship resurgence. “We’ve been very consistent, maximizing our performance in each race,” Leclerc said. “We may not have had the fastest car in every race, but we were the most consistent and brought in the most points.”
Looking ahead, Leclerc is optimistic about Ferrari’s chances at the Mexico City Grand Prix, though he acknowledges that nothing is guaranteed. “Austin was a great result for us, especially with our race pace. Mexico should be good on paper, but we need to focus on our setup and execution,” he noted, highlighting that Ferrari test driver Ollie Bearman will run FP1 in his place.
Ferrari’s late-season surge has rejuvenated hopes within the Tifosi and the Scuderia, with the team poised to take on the final rounds with renewed momentum and a sharp focus on consistency. As Leclerc put it, “The last few races have shown our strengths. Now, it’s about staying focused and bringing home the results we need.”
