Leclerc: “I hope for even more”

Charles doesn't respond! To the question of this journalist who wishes to know if Sebastian Vettel is still the number 1 driver of the Team Ferrari, the Monegasque escapes by a pirouette. “I give my best on the track”, he asserts laconically, avoiding emphasizing that his best is currently much better than that of the German star.

He who remains on four podiums in a row while the quadruple world champion has made a series of errors and twists of fate, cannot really explain what he achieved better than his teammate.

“In the end, I’m comfortable with the carhe says. Seb had some very good races as well and hasn't been very lucky in the last few. I think it's just a matter of time before he gets back on top. I just don't feel good in the car. »

While Vettel affirms that the solutions found to combat the understeer of the SF90 do not suit his driving style, Charles explains for his part that he is not affected by his measures which seem to have altered the efficiency of the rear axle of the car House.

“It makes me suffer less, he emphasizes. Seb complains about the stability entering corners and it doesn't affect me as much. We know the car's problems and we work to combat them. Before the French GP, it was more me who adapted to the car and we changed the approach a little. From now on, there is more effort to bring the car in my direction. Which helps me a lot. When I arrived at Ferrari at the start of the year, it was only my second season in F1. Before making any requests, I wanted to understand the car and adapt my driving as much as possible to its requirements. I did well but, at a certain point, I felt there was more performance to be had if we tried to bring the car a little more towards me. »

If it is today more than premature to affirm that he is the new leader of the Scuderia, it is nevertheless possible to argue that his status has evolved significantly within the Italian structure since the start of the season.

“The situations were different during the last races and I was able to show what I could do,” he says. I still have a lot of work to do, a lot of things to improve but I am satisfied with my season so far. »

On Sunday, on his teammate's home turf, he will seek a fifth podium in a row, and perhaps more with the help of the weather which promises to be uncertain.

“It’s expected to rain on Saturday and more on Sunday, he concluded with mischief in this vigil of arms on the Hockenheim route. I hope for a podium, and more. It remains difficult because Mercedes continue to evolve at a better level and we must be realistic. We will also have to keep an eye on the Red Bull who are also very strong in the race, but let's continue the work and hope that this weekend will be a good one. »