fierce fight for consolation prize behind unapproachable Verstappen

• Louis Dekker

  Reporter Formula 1

He dreamed of his first world title and started this season with two victories and five podium places in a row: not Lewis Hamilton, but Charles Leclerc was the attacker of Max Verstappen this year. But the 25-year-old Ferrari driver fell behind after a series of misses and setbacks and saw Verstappen prolong the world title in Japan earlier this month.

Leclerc cut a corner on the last lap of the Japanese grand prix due to a braking error. The race management handed out a time penalty with major consequences: not only did Verstappen become champion at Suzuka as a result, but Leclerc lost both his second position in the race and in the championship to Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Pérez.

In the American Austin, Leclerc wants to regain his second place in the World Cup this weekend. It will not be easy: Pérez draws confidence from recent results. “It’s always nice when you’ve just had a few good weekends,” he says in Austin. “My win in Singapore and second place in Japan came at a good time. It relieves the pressure and I feel very comfortable now.”

Pérez has a minimal lead over Leclerc: the gap is only one World Cup point, but ‘Checo’ thinks he can deliver the final blow. “I want to be second in the championship and now is the time to strike. For me, the most special weekends of the year are on the program. Texas first, with a lot of Mexican fans and Latinos in the stands. And then we go to Mexico City for my home race.”

“I want to achieve a strong result here in America and win the World Constructors’ Championship with the team. And then crown this great season in Mexico with a home win. That is the goal. Everything is aimed at that. We want to end this year with a few high flyers. This team deserves that. They have worked so hard and performed amazingly. This is really an unprecedented year.”

Pérez does not have to think long about the best moment of the season. “Monaco. I’ve dreamed of that all my life. It took me a long time to realize that I had really won it. It’s such a special race. The whole of Mexico was turned upside down when I crossed the line first.”

It can be even more beautiful. A home win over Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez would be the pinnacle of Pérez’s career. “Nothing is more beautiful than winning a grand prix in your own country. I experienced what that brings about in Zandvoort. I want to experience that too, but it will not be easy. The pressure is enormous and the public almost demands that you win . But Max will certainly try to help me if the opportunity presents itself. I have no doubt that he will support me.”

To what extent the latter is true remains to be seen. Pérez does not have to count on unconditional support from his teammate in America and Mexico. Brand new world champion Verstappen is still hungry, he told himself. “I want to win the remaining four races and Sergio has to make sure he crosses the line ahead of Leclerc. We always want to make sure we finish first and second. He knows what he has to do. Beat Charles.”

Verstappen does not intend to give Pérez victories as a gift. Not even in Mexico. “If I get first on the last lap and he second? Then I’m going to win the race. And then he finishes ahead of Leclerc.”

Are Leclerc and Ferrari able to attack Perez? Based on the results from the recent past, that chance seems small. Leclerc hasn’t triumphed in months and Ferrari has won just four out of eighteen races this season. Moreover, the sacred fire at the Monegasque seems temporarily extinguished.

“I don’t think it’s all that relevant anymore,” said Leclerc. “Of course I’d rather be second than third, but I’m already aiming for 2023. I already know for a few races that Max would become champion and of course I was and I am disappointed. We mainly try to dot the i’s in the last races so that we can be able to compete for the title next year.”

He demands more from Ferrari next year. “We have to be a better team. This season we have made far too many mistakes, but I can already see that we are making progress. It would help us enormously to win a few more races this year. Then you will spend the winter much more pleasantly.”

When asked, Leclerc wants to explain where Ferrari’s areas for improvement lie. “Sundays have to be better. And then it’s not about a few details, but about everything that happens during a race. Pit stops, tire choice, tire wear, strategy, communication and reliability. I also have to perform better myself.”

“We are still too mediocre on many fronts and Red Bull can cope better with changing weather conditions. It is very frustrating. We are so strong in qualifying on Saturday; and yet it still slips through our fingers on Sunday. But I remain positive: this season was pretty tough, but setbacks make you grow as a team. I’m sure it will help us in 2023.”