Charles Leclerc

## Career Overview

### **Sauber (2018)**

2017 F2 Champion, and Ferrari backed driver, Charles Leclerc signed with the revitalized Sauber team for 2018. After taking a dominant F2 title, many were eager to see if the Monegasque could carry his pace over to Formula One.

Impressing from the outset Leclerc would take a points finish in his first race. It would take only 5 races for Leclerc to reach the podium - or be it helped somewhat my many big names starting down the order. Leclerc would also prove to be an excellent team player, acting as rear gunner for Sutil at the French Grand Prix holding up the likes of Daniil Kvyat and Sebastian Vettel. Although eventually getting overtaken, Sutil would hold on to claim Sauber's third podium of 2018.

The Russian Grand Prix would prove to be bittersweet for the Monegasque. It would be the first race Leclerc would lead legitimately, however a bad lockup would cost him the lead to Daniil Kvyat one lap later. Leclerc would eventually drop back to 11th after having to make an extra pit stop for new tyres. Leclerc would take his second third pace finish at the Japanese Grand Prix, after holding off a late charge from both Toyotas. Leclerc would go one better at the next race at COTA, finishing second and equaling Sauber's best finish as an independent outfit.

### **Ferrari (2019 - Present)**

After an exceptional debut season, Leclerc moved to Ferrari, replacing the retiring Adrian Sutil.

Despite small mechanical issues present in both cars throughout the opening race, Charles Leclerc would secure victory on his debut with the red team. Leclerc's glory would be short lived, as in race 2 he would retire from the lead when his engine failed.

Leclerc's performances were good considering the car he was driving wasn't capable of strong results on a regular basis. However, he was a long way off the consistent pace of the Championship contenders.

Ferrari managed so somewhat redeem themselves at their home Grand Prix. Leclerc managed a second place finish, with Vettel third. It was an all Ferrari powered podium, as Josh Tirowee won the race for Alfa Romeo.

Leclerc's first season with Ferrari would show the talent he possesses, dragging the car up the grid to results it didn't deserve. The season was ended four races early, but Leclerc still easily beat team mate Sebastian Vettel.

#### **2020**

2020 didn't look fruitful from the offset, only 11 points after two races. Leclerc struggled for most of the season, mostly in qualifying, and was convincingly beaten by Sebastian Vettel.

#### **2021**

Charles Leclerc looked now to lead Ferrari into a new era of dominance. The Monegasque proved he was more than a match for five-time Champion Sebastian Vettel in their two years as teammates.

Leclerc could only manage an 18th place finish in the opening race, and almost a lap down.

##### Ferrari Engine Controversy

Ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, some technical regulations related to the engine were clarified. It was suspected that Ferrari had been burning oil as fuel in between the readings taken by the sensors. This would give a momentary but persistent power boost, and can attribute to the incredible straight line speeds shown. The FIA reached a private agreement with Ferrari, but it was clear from FP1 at the Red Bull Ring that the Scuderia, and customers Alfa Romeo were significantly slower through the speed trap.

Leclerc ended the shortened season in 18th.

#### **2022**

Charles Leclerc remains faithful to the Scuderia, but will have a new team mate to work with this year, in Carlos Sainz.

The first two races were very encouraging, finishing inside the top 12 in the opening two races.

Ferrari made a stunning return to form at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Leclerc lined up second, with Sainz third. Leclerc stole the lead from Sergio Perez at the start, and never lost it. Leclerc took his, and Ferrari's, first win since the 2019 season opening Australian Grand Prix. Sainz had a difficult race and finished outside the points.

Leclerc took pole for round 5, Singapore. Holding the lead in the wet early on, Ferrari made a strategy error in the mixed conditions and the Monegasque finished fourth.

Leclerc was on form again at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The Monegasque took pole, and lead every lap of the race to bring himself into Title contention.

Charles Leclerc's slim Championship hopes were dashed on lap 6 of the British Grand Prix, when the Ferrari retired with an electrical fault.

Leclerc bounced back from further disappointment of his home race being cancelled with a drive of a true Champion in waiting at Spain. Charles Leclerc put a complete lap together to secure pole by 1.5 tenths over Tirowee. Leclerc held the lead from a fast charging Russell. Tirowee dropped to 3rd, narrowly holding off Fernando Alonso. Mercedes had their first real chance of winning a race on pace, and pitted Hamilton on lap 14. Leclerc, Russell and Zhou responded on the next lap. A lightning stop from Mercedes got the Brit out ahead of the Ferrari and into the net race lead. Tirowee pitted at the end of lap 16 and overcut Zhou to take back 3rd. Verstappen started in Hards, and pitted at the end of lap 19 for Mediums. Leclerc crushed Mercedes and Russell's hopes of a first win at the end of lap 27. The Brit had nothing left in his Hards, and a superior exit out of the final corner gave Leclerc the run he needed with DRS into turn 1.

Leclerc ended an encouraging bounce back season in 4th.

#### **2023**

Ferrari returned to winning ways in 2022, and that was more than enough to keep their star driver Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque took the fight to Alonso and Verstappen, and had a late season fight with Tirowee for third. If Ferrari can continue to move forward, Leclerc will be at the top more often than not.

Las Vegas hosted the first of three Wildcard races, allocating 5 points for pole, and all 20 positions in the race. Josh Tirowee started to drop back on the Las Vegas strop from lap 3, as his RB19 was suffering from ERS deployment problems. Both Ferraris, Schumacher, Vergne and Alonso demoted the Brit down the order. Pierre Gasly span on lap 13, blocking the track after the strip, and brought out the first Safety Car of the season. Verstappen lead from Hamilton, Alonso, Russell and Leclerc. Leclerc's race started well, but went downhill from there, as an electrical fault ends his race on lap 22/25.

There was Drama for Red Bull in Q3 for the Qatar Grand Prix, as an issue for Tirowee's DRS as he left the pits for the final run saw it stuck open. The Brit was fastest on the first runs, and that time would prove to be enough by 0.002s from Leclerc. The front row barely moved off the lights, as Verstappen and Schumacher rocketed through. Tyre wear was much higher than expected. Stroll and Piastri headed in for Hards on lap 11. Red Bull were confident with their tyre wear as Tirowee boxed for Mediums at the end of lap 12, and Verstappen on lap 13, the Dutchman retained the lead. Leclerc started on Mediums and ran until the end of lap 14, but still oped for Hards. Zhou was feeling the tyre on lap 23/29, and span into the final corner. Unsighted, the field behind barreled in and had to take evasive action. The Safety Car was deployed so Zhou could get back going. Verstappen lead from Leclerc, Schumacher and the Mercedes pair. Racing went back to green with a two lap sprint to the finish. Verstappen pulled a gap over Leclerc, but like Zhou, his Mediums had reached the cliff. Verstappen spun through turn 5. The pack came to a complete stop on the racing line. Leclerc inherited the lead and held off Schumacher for a fortunate win.

Leclerc took his 6th, and Ferrari's 236th, win at the Bahrain Grand Prix. A magic lap from Leclerc secured pole from the resurgent Alpine of Gasly by a tenth. Gasly challenged into turn 1, but Leclerc held the lead. Leclerc pit at the end of lap 14 and maintained the net lead. Alpine again got creative with their strategy, and ran Gasly until lap 16 to have a tyre offset to Leclerc. Gasly closed the gap to Leclerc but ran out of laps to pass the Monegasque. Leclerc took the win by less than two tenths to the Alpine.

Another magic lap from Leclerc secured pole for the British Grand Prix by half a tenth from Schumacher. Leclerc held on to first, with Sette Camara rocketing up to second. Sette Camara was pushing for glory and climbed all over the back of Leclerc's Ferrari, before making a move stick on lap 7. The Brazilian's glory was short lived, as on lap 8 the tyre wear kicked in early once again and the TRD123 was a sitting duck for Leclerc, Norris and Tirowee. Norris sent the home crown wild when he took the lead on lap 9, with Leclerc now facing his own tyre troubles. Norris and most of the grid pit at the end of lap 12. Most boxed for Hards, whilst McLaren were risking it all for a home win and opted for Mediums. Hamilton was also on charge and scythed past Verstappen and Leclerc to make an all-Brit top 3. Hamilton was also on charge and scythed past Verstappen and Leclerc to make an all-Brit top 3. Leclerc lost the final podium spot on the last lap to Verstappen.