Leclerc sees Ferrari growing: 'We're not in that situation anymore'

Charles Leclerc is having a good start to the Formula 1 season in 2021. The Monegasque is fifth in the championship after two fourth places and two sixth places. There is progress to be seen and felt at Ferrari.

Strong start of Leclerc

In 2020, Ferrari experienced a deep slump with a sixth-place among the constructors. The team was hit hard by the FIA after the team had seemingly cheated with the engine in 2019. In 2020, it was presented with the bill for that and so Ferrari had to start all over again. In 2021 Ferrari made a step, but of course, they are not there yet.

''The start of 2020 was the hardest because we had to accept that we had taken a step back. Of course, that is never easy. After that, however, we started working hard, in a constructive way'', Leclerc tells Codesport.fr. The Monegasque also got a new teammate at his side in 2021 and notices a clear difference in that.

New phase for Ferrari

''With Seb, it was a bit different. He had a lot of experience and already knew the team very well when I came there. For Carlos, it's all new. We are both very young. There is a lot of enthusiasm and motivation. We're not in the same situation as three years ago, when Seb came from a period where the team was very strong and they could compete for the title,'' said Leclerc.

However, the Monegasque also notes that Ferrari are no longer in the doldrums, and are clearly on the way up. ''We are no longer in a build-up phase. There is now a lot of motivation to get back to where we belong, namely in the fight for the title. The improvements we see on the track give us hope, and everyone in the team is happy'', concludes the Ferrari driver.