Charles Leclerc earned himself a great start to the Singapore Grand Prix. With no Red Bull drivers to fight off, the Ferrari driver seems all prepared to battle forward. However, for the Monegasque, he has not been too pleased with the recent times.
Although Max Verstappen has been dominating the season, Charles Leclerc has been able to get close to the Red Bull star. However, the Monegasque has done his best to challenge and beat the Durchman and failed. But his irritation has grown from other F1 drivers not following a strict code between them.
Charles Leclerc talked about the “Gentlemen’s code” between the drivers when it comes to the last sector. It is an ongoing practice between them to not overtake one another in the last sector.
However, many have stopped doing so which has left Leclerc upset. He said, “The real problem to me is that for many years there was this gentlemen’s agreement – like to not overtake each other in the last sector – let’s say that this year 1 or 2 people didn’t respect it and then everyone started to not respect it…”
“…and now it’s a mess because the last sector looks like a kart race. so on this, we have to find new solutions, it’s extreme. And I’m not saying I was perfect! but it’s like a jungle now in S3.”
Q: (about traffic in Q1)
🆑: “the real problem to me is that for many years there was this gentlemen agreement – like to not overtake each other in the last sector – let’s say that this year 1 or 2 people didn’t respect it and then everyone started to not respect it…”
— leclerc data (@leclercdata) September 16, 2023
Leclerc expressed his frustrations and complaints about the situation. He believes that the drivers should follow the conduct that was decided between them. While it was an unspoken rule to not overtake each other in the last sector, drivers have now made it a “jungle” according to Leclerc. Nonetheless, he accepted more from the Singapore race after having a great pace all weekend.
Charles Leclerc weighs in on his chances of beating Mercedes and Max Verstappen
Charles Leclerc has been one of the few drivers who has been able to achieve multiple podiums. Especially with Red Bull’s dominance, it is a huge achievement to do so this season. However, with his P3 for the race, he has a few ideas of what may happen at Marina Bay. Ferrari has shown great pace, with Carlos in the pole position, the stakes for the two are quite high. Needless to say, they at least look forward to a double podium.
When talking to Sky Sports TV, he said, “Carlos is starting first and I’m third, so I think we can also put Mercedes under quite a bit of pressure, so I’m not worried.”
He, however, added on about Verstappen’s untimely dominance and brilliance this season. He continued, “I don’t think you can ever discount Max and Red Bull. They might turn up tomorrow with the race pace they have had this season and still manage, somehow, to make it through the field,”
“I really hope so” 💪
Charles Leclerc reflects on his qualifying and whether Ferrari can achieve a 1-2 in Singapore 👇 pic.twitter.com/NHZYXIuaPi
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) September 16, 2023
As the race comes closer with only a few hours left, Ferrari seems to plan on bringing on their A-game. The Monegasque has plans on not only beating Mercedes or Verstappen but also taking the race win from Carlos Sainz. In any case, a good Ferrari wheel-to-wheel battle seems to be guaranteed.
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