Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, an eight-time Grand Prix winner, has set his sights on a monumental first-time achievement at the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix: clinching his maiden victory at the Yas Marina Circuit. With Ferrari locked in a fierce battle for the Constructors’ Championship against McLaren, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Leclerc’s Ambition for Yas Marina Glory
Leclerc, who broke through this season with an emotional first victory at his home race in Monaco, believes Abu Dhabi presents the perfect stage to cap off a strong campaign. The Monegasque driver expressed his determination to replicate his Monaco triumph and deliver a crucial victory for Ferrari in their championship pursuit.
“I think this is a good sign. In Abu Dhabi, we will still be fighting, and we will do everything to win this title. You have to win and make a double. Too bad for Carlos, we could be 2nd and 3rd. I think it’s a great year to win in Abu Dhabi. In Monaco, I had never won, and I succeeded this year. In Yas Marina, I never won, and I hope it will be the first time this year.”
Ferrari’s Uphill Battle
With one race remaining, Ferrari trails McLaren by 21 points in the Constructors’ standings (640 to 619). While Leclerc delivered a stellar second-place finish in Qatar, his teammate Carlos Sainz only managed P6 after suffering from a puncture. A stronger combined performance in Abu Dhabi will be essential for Ferrari to close the gap and snatch the title.
Reflecting on Qatar: Near-Perfect Execution
Leclerc reflected on his performance at the Lusail International Circuit, where he felt he maximized the car’s potential despite Ferrari’s lack of outright pace compared to their rivals.
“I don’t think we were conservative with the tires, on the contrary, I think we were really perfect. Unfortunately, today the problem was not management and strategy, but the pace, which was not there. When it’s like this, we have to do our best with what we have, and I think we did it well.”
Abu Dhabi: The Final Chapter for Ferrari and Sainz
The Abu Dhabi GP will also mark an emotional farewell for Carlos Sainz, who is set to leave Ferrari for Williams in 2025. While his focus remains on helping Ferrari clinch the championship, Sainz will undoubtedly want to bow out on a high note.
With Ferrari aiming for their first Constructors’ title since 2008 and Leclerc chasing a personal milestone, Yas Marina promises to deliver high drama. As Leclerc said, “Everything is still possible,” and Ferrari fans will be hoping for a perfect end to an electrifying season.