After finishing the season with "mixed feelings," Charles Leclerc says he felt "not too much satisfaction" in dividing the Red Bull drivers in this year's Formula 1 world championship.
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After winning two of the first three races, Leclerc was prepared to mount a title push for the first time in his F1 career, storming into an early points lead with to victory in Bahrain and Australia. But Leclerc would only win one more race that season as Max Verstappen and Red Bull took the lead, aided by a car that was obviously a step ahead in performance from the summer break on. It left Leclerc fighting for second place at the end of the season, eventually finishing three points ahead of Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez. At the FIA’s prize giving in Bologna on Friday, the Ferrari driver received his trophy for second place in the F1 season.
When asked if dividing the Red Bull drivers in the final standings gave him much satisfaction, Leclerc answered, “Not a lot, to be honest.” “Looking back on the season, I think it was a solid season, especially in comparison to 2020 and 2021, which were two extremely challenging years for the squad.” “It was hardly a given that we would finish second in the drivers’ championship and second in the constructors’ championship.” So that makes me pleased. “But then, obviously, looking a little further into the season, there’s been a really difficult middle part of the season where we didn’t really put everything together coming into Sunday.” That was the most frustrating aspect. “I’m having conflicting thoughts about this season. However, second place is fairly acceptable. I simply hope it’s a step forward and that we can take another stride further next year.”
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Leclerc retired from the lead of three races, suffering engine failures in Spain and Azerbaijan before spinning out in France. Ferrari’s strategy mistakes in the United Kingdom and Hungary did not help Leclerc’s cause, as the summer races shifted the championship momentum in Verstappen’s favour. Leclerc’s gaffe in France resulted in one of the season’s most emotional moments, when he screamed into the radio in fury, knowing he had a solid chance of winning. “I think in the heat of the moment and the heat of the season, races come fairly rapidly,” Leclerc remarked of the issue of controlling frustration. “So I think it’s fine.” It’s just at the end of the season that you look back and feel it a little more. But it wasn’t that difficult during the season.”
