Charles Leclerc delivers Ferrari title warning after ‘d…read more
Charles Leclerc has issued a strong message to Ferrari’s competitors, declaring that the team is “targeting the title” after a remarkable win at the United States Grand Prix in Austin. Leclerc dominated the race at the Circuit of the Americas, leading Ferrari to a one-two finish and securing a victory that the team could have only “dreamed” of. His pace throughout the race was unmatched, sending a clear warning to the rest of the grid.
Starting from fourth on the grid, Leclerc surged to the front with a stellar performance, moving into the lead by the second corner. He executed a brilliant start that saw him overtake key rivals including his teammate Carlos Sainz, Max Verstappen, and Lando Norris. Verstappen and Norris were involved in a close battle for position, and Leclerc took advantage, slipping past both to take the lead.
Once in front, Leclerc wasted no time building a gap, breaking the one-second barrier between himself and the chasing pack early on. He maintained a comfortable lead for much of the race, finishing several seconds ahead of Sainz, who completed Ferrari’s first one-two finish in years.
Reflecting on his victory, Leclerc was understandably pleased. “Very, very happy,” he said. “It hasn’t been an easy weekend. I struggled a bit with the feeling of the car, but I knew it would come together in the race, and it did. We saw signs of it in the sprint race yesterday.”
The Ferrari driver also admitted that the team had been cautious heading into the Grand Prix, aware that their rivals might close the gap. However, Ferrari still managed to hold the upper hand throughout the race weekend. “We were a bit worried that the others would improve more than us today, but we still had the advantage,” Leclerc added. “A one-two finish for the team—it’s more than we could have hoped for.”
Leclerc emphasized that Ferrari’s goal remains the championship, despite the long road ahead. “We are still targeting the title. It’s a long way to go, but this is a great way to start this triple-header.”
A key factor in Leclerc’s victory was his phenomenal start, which set the tone for the race. Launching off the line with precision, he decided to stick to the inside at the first corner. This proved to be a brilliant move, as Verstappen and Norris ran wide during their battle at Turn 1, allowing Leclerc to slip past them cleanly.
Leclerc later reflected on the importance of his quick start, revealing that he learned from a mistake in the sprint race. “It was a great Turn 1!” he said with a smile. “I knew it would be tight, but we got off the line really well. Yesterday, I was caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, but today, it worked in our favor.”
Leclerc credited Ferrari’s recent success to the team’s hard work behind the scenes, particularly the engineering department, which has been working tirelessly to develop upgrades. “The car was brilliant today, and that’s thanks to the engineers who have been working flat out in recent months. The upgrades we’ve had in Singapore and the last few races have really paid off,” he concluded.
With Ferrari’s newfound momentum, Leclerc’s victory in Austin sets a promising tone for the rest of the season as they continue their pursuit of the championship.
