The Monegasque ready for the home GP: “In 2024 an unexpected victory that gives me courage for this year too. Niki Lauda? He was one who never gave up: he left a huge mark in Formula 1 and Ferrari”
Charles Leclerc is already in Monza mode. The fans’ effect lived on Wednesday in Milan loaded it. Not that he needed it (“Since I run in F1 I have always and only had moments of victory with Ferrari, I know how special it is”), but when Monza arrives, for each Ferrari driver an “everything is possible” effect is triggered. He made him understand yesterday on the eve, when he spoke of the McLaren as unbeatable machines only to light up at the thought of what could happen: “Last year I lived an unexpected victory – he reminded – and precisely that victory gives you at least the awareness that you can also win on the card from a disadvantaged position. I do not see the time to put the car on the track to see where we are compared to them”.
Niki effect
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Maybe inspired by that Niki Lauda of which Ferrari this weekend will honor the memory of the first of its three titles, conquered in Monza on September 7, 1975, 50 years ago exactly. Pilots and team members will dress in blue in memory of the colors worn by the Ferraristi that 1975 and the two SF-25s will have a special livery that will remember the Ferrari of the Austrian champion. Leclerc spoke about it: “I couldn’t work with Niki nor did I see him run – he said – but the dowry that I admire more about him is the fact that we never give up. We often say it, but he lived something much more difficult than I happened in my career. The fact of putting the helmet back and returning to the track after the accident is impressive. He left a brand of courage that will remain in history. In Munich, he had very kind words towards me and, then speaking with other people, I understood that it was not so with everyone.
Difficult comparison
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Prospects for the race? Is Ferrari studying some bangs with the strategy? “Perhaps the fans can help us! Seriously, this year the strategy seems a little clearer than 2024, so we have one less card. We will see on Sunday: we will try to surprise our opponents. In any case, the goal remains to win. In Monza it would be even more special, with the push of the fans”. The comparison with McLaren is not easy: “Realistically, with such a strong McLaren there is no track where I think we will be superior to them – said Leclerc – but there are circuits where we can get closer. I think of Baku in qualifying, one of my favorite tracks, where perhaps we can make the difference. In the race we often suffered, but Monza has reserved us surprises in the past. Then there are Singapore and Las Vegas: The qualification matters a lot, everything can happen in Las Vegas. ”
Impossible result
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Charles does not intend to give up, even if so far, since 2019, he has not yet had a Ferrari who would allow him to fight regularly for the victories: “It is frustrating, of course. I have not yet had the opportunity to have a car capable of fighting continuously to win, perhaps only in early 2022. But it does not change my motivation. That frustration becomes a desire to do more. When you can get a result that seemed impossible, bigger “. Niki Lauda mode always active.
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