It must be a balanced framework, to which you can add your own touch, the author’s signature, the Ferrari 2020 project. The gaps detected last season clearly indicated the areas on which to intervene: from the increase in the aerodynamic load to a different functioning of the front suspension, to find the performance in a certain type of curve, which remained the Achilles’ heel up to Abu Dhabi.
Charles Leclerc talk about the fundamentals that will be the basis of the 671 project, how it is up to the technicians to take care of the concepts on which the pilots will be able to carve out their preferred balance, which best suits their driving style.
Single-seater to chisel
There is no direct influence, obviously, on the design, “I would say that we are not technical enough to have the strength to modify certain things. On the direction of development, it’s more about indicating the balance you want, the drivers have their preferences on balancing, they want a more oversteering or more understeering car.
The team got to know me and they know what I want from the car and try to build a machine that has more or less that balance. Obviously, it is we drivers who ultimately change the last details, with the freedom we have on the set-ups.
In the design of the car itself we do not have much influence, but it is mainly on the balance“He comments from the Autosport International Show stage.
Worldwide goal right away
A little over a month and we are back on track, with unchanged regulations and a clear Mercedes superiority behind us. The ambitions for 2020 are high, the target is the world title and, when asked if it could be the best opportunity for a world champion Leclerc with the regulatory reset of 2021, Charles replies: “I hope in 2020 … but yes, I would be happy to wait for 2021 if I had the certainty of winning it.
2020 will be a very important year, the teams will invest a lot because the budget cap will arrive in 2021, we will try to make ourselves ready in 2021. We will work to make the right car and be able to win the championship.
The goal this year is, as always, to aim as high as possible, basically to try to win the world championship. I always set very high goals, I will give everything to try to win, I drive for myself and the best team and try to give them what they deserve. It will be up to me to do the work on the track“.
Rally curiosity, MotoGP impossible
The “lethargy” of increasingly reduced sporting activity, a couple of months or so in which Formula 1’s hunger remains very high, according to Leclerc. More than other experiences in different categories. The taste of a 24 Hours of Daytona in the future behind the wheel of a Ferrari GT? “Why not! To be honest, I’m completely fixated on Formula 1.
In the winter detachment period I would like to have even more races to always race in F1. However, if I had to choose, it would be probably the rally what I’d like to try one day. It’s quite different from what I’m used to doing, going around in circles from morning to afternoon, is something exciting that I’d like to try. “
Then there is a desire that is difficult to achieve, to try a MotoGP. The prohibitions imposed by the teams on the extra-Formula 1 sports activities granted to the drivers are known, and a “no” to an initiative similar to that brought to the track by Hamilton and Rossi is almost certain. “I’d like to ride a MotoGP bike but I’m not sure Ferrari would agree. I love motorcycles in general, I’m not sure Ferrari would agree. “
Sign the History
He retraces the debut championship with the Prancing Horse, the emotions to be experienced in Monza, the direct perception of what it means to wear the Ferrari suit. And he feels he has to write his own story on the track with the Red: “Surely I feel part of the story or, at least, the fans make me feel like that, to be part of Ferrari history.
It’s fantastic, but it’s clear that when I’m next to Mario Andretti or legends like him, I don’t feel like I’m in the right place. Now, it’s up to me to do the work on the track and demonstrate my skills “.
Formula 1 GP times in 2020
