Charles Leclerc: “A lot of emotion”

Thirteenth under the checkered flag of the Australian Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc remembers above all the fact of having seen the finish line for his racing debut in F1. The FIA ​​champion F2 also allows Alfa Romeo Sauber to take a car at the end in Melbourne, after the rapid retirement of Marcus Ericsson.

“I did something stupid at the start, but then, once I crossed the finish line, it was a lot of emotion, indicates the Monegasque at the microphone of Canal +. I realized that I finished my first Grand Prix in F1 and it’s a dream come true.

It was a really good race. The only frustrating thing is that we finished 13th without a point. From the point of view of the team's work and on a personal level, I am very happy. I think it’s one of the best races of my career. »

Leclerc also appears to be looking to the future by already analyzing the strengths and weaknesses seen on his C37 – Ferrari. The Monegasque can also have the satisfaction of having finished in front of the Williams survivor of Lance stroll.

« You have to work to try to improve, but I think there are a lot of positives to take from this race, continues the rookie. On the soft relay, we were very fast and close to twelfth/thirteenth place on a regular basis. On the ultra-softs, we didn't have a good balance, so we'll have to work on that. »

Discover the report and analysis of the Australian Grand Prix, produced by our special correspondents in Melbourne, in issue 2158 of AUTOhebdo, available tomorrow evening in digital version, and from this Wednesday on newsstands.