Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari is a crusher. Since the start of the World Cup a month ago, in the three races, he has had no rival and, little by little, he is postulating himself as the big favorite to win the title. With some lethal Red Bulls – with Verstappen out of the game again – and Mercedes far from their best version, the Italian team is making steady progress thanks to the masterful driving of the Monegasque. Leclerc took the pole on Saturday and in the Australian GP race he has added the second victory of the season, in addition to the fast lap. A round weekend for the World Cup leader.
When the traffic lights went out, the cars started cleanly. The start, without touches and with the utmost respect among drivers – something that did not happen last year – has been the confirmation of the problems for Carlos Sainz. The Madrid man, who had a black qualifying session, was stuck at the start and saw how the other cars overtook him on all sides. On a first lap, where he was overtaken, he failed to regain position and, as soon as he signed the first full turn, he made a detour and was trapped in the gravel. With Sainz’s Ferrari out of play, Leclerc has been left alone, albeit a leader, in the face of the danger of the Red Bulls.
The placid race for the Monegasque has been resolved through the blackboard. The strategy of changing tires has been key to overcoming direct rivals in a circuit unfavorable to overtaking and, taking advantage of the appearance of the safety car on three occasions, the cars have been ranked in the classification. Plus, Ferrari’s superiority is overwhelming. They have no rivals and not even Red Bull has been able to face the all-powerful Italian who has taken a big step forward from last season. Speed, reliability and strategy: everything falls on the side of the team prancing Horseeven luck.
Verstappen’s premature farewell
With Max Verstappen second, but far away, Leclerc did not suffer and prevailed. The Dutchman, in addition to being far from his hunger for victories characteristic of last season, is quite off. Despite having the second best car of the season, the electronics do not allow him to add points. Of the three races that have been held this year, he has not added in two due to abandonment. Again, at the Australian Grand Prix, he got out of the car early. Fifteen laps from the end, the engine said enough and could only pull its car off the tarmac and put out the fire coming out of the back. Max Verstappen is in trouble at the Leclerc party.
Alone, and with his eyes set on the finish line, the Monegasque drove with pleasure to the last quarter of the race. Checo Pérez, second thanks to the farewell of his teammate, took the opportunity to add points and a new podium just ahead of George Russell, who beat Lewis Hamilton in a fight between Mercedes.
