Charles Leclerc has opened up on the criticism he has obtained throughout his tough 2026 season, and insisted that he has not develop into a “dangerous driver” following his return to kind at Silverstone.
The Ferrari driver suffered a troublesome run of kind between Miami and Austria scoring simply 20 factors throughout 5 races with notable crashes in Miami, Monaco and Barcelona. He returned to kind on the British Grand Prix, taking his first win because the 2024 United States Grand Prix, although questions have been raised whether or not he might want to play crew orders and again Lewis Hamilton within the title battle this season.
Commercial
Leclerc was closely criticised on social media throughout his dangerous run of kind and he addressed the narratives behind his stoop whereas talking after his victory at Silverstone.
Leclerc on cancelling the noise
Talking to the media after the British Grand Prix, Leclerc insisted that the criticism didn’t gasoline him and that he tried to “cancel the noise as a lot as attainable” by not his cellphone and specializing in what’s related.
“Issues are stated and also you go from hero to zero, from zero to hero, in like two days on this sport, and so it might affect then the way in which you see a state of affairs. So no, my job was actually to only try to cancel that noise, to not have a look at something, to not take heed to something. And I do know that I did not develop into a nasty driver from someday to the opposite. It was only a matter of discovering that feeling with the automotive. These vehicles are very particular, are very totally different to the way in which we have been driving since we began racing, and so it takes a bit extra time to get used to it.
Commercial
“I used to be very robust for the primary a part of the season, then I misplaced a little bit of feeling with the automotive. We modified fairly just a few issues with the automotive and it took a bit extra time than what I had wished to get again to the extent I needed. And on prime of that, we have had some points on the Sunday that price me various factors. So altogether, it wasn’t a pleasant state of affairs to be in, however I am very joyful to get out of this example on this approach. Nevertheless, as I stated, it is nonetheless the start. It is just one race and I need to not get carried away considering that the warfare is over.”
Leclerc will be “nice asset” for Hamilton
Photograph: Race Footage
Photograph: Race Footage
Talking on Formula1.com, ex-Components One driver Jolyon Palmer acknowledged Leclerc just isn’t a championship challenger, however can develop into an asset for Ferrari in Hamilton’s battle for the drivers’ championship – regardless of his win in Silverstone.
Commercial
He stated: “I nonetheless keep that Charles is simply too far again within the championship to mount a title problem, however you by no means know, and having him again on his greatest kind can solely be an excellent asset to his crew and notably Lewis Hamilton in his personal battle.”
Palmer’s feedback have additionally been supported by the likes of Jacques Villeneuve and former Ferrari race engineer Rob Smedley, who each acknowledged that the Scuderia ought to prioritise Hamilton within the title battle instantly.
