Leclerc: “The team didn’t really believe in this one-stop bet”

Charles Leclerc continues to box in a higher category than his equipment allows him. Indeed, its Ferrari is still not at the level of Mercedes et Red Bull, but the Monegasque performs feats to score important points.

The Grand Prix of the 70th anniversary of the F1, contested at Silverstone (Great Britain) is a new example. Starting from eighth place, the double winner in the discipline climbed to the foot of the podium thanks to a daring bet: a single tire change in 52 laps!

“It’s more of a victory than a podium, he exclaimed at the Canal+ microphone. I'm much happier than last week. Last time we were very well placed in qualifying, 4th, whereas today that was not the case. »

However, the Red pit wall was not particularly interested in this tactic. “This strategy was very complicated to maintain. It was plan C and I was just repeating “Plan C, Plan C” on the radio, because the team didn’t really believe in this one-stop bet! 

We were afraid for the tires. At the end it was a little hot because I felt vibrations. We did it, I was especially careful with my left front tire. I'm very happy ! »

Happy, Charles Leclerc must nevertheless carry out an in-depth debriefing with his team in order to understand how he was able to maintain a high racing pace. “Quite honestly, I don't know where the race pace we had, which was very fast, came from. Now we just have to understand why we were so fast. It's a nice surprise. »

Find in issue 2273 of AUTOhebdo, available Monday evening digitally and Wednesday on newsstands, the analysis of the 70th anniversary GP by our special correspondent.