Imola (dpa) – Challenger Charles Leclerc and defending champion Max Verstappen are now looking back relaxed on their rivalry at karting times.
“We can laugh about it now,” said Verstappen in the paddock of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Both Formula 1 drivers are 24 years old and have been karting against each other since they were 12, Verstappen reported.
At the time, they each dreamed of becoming a Formula 1 driver, Leclerc said in Imola. “It was either him or me. At a certain point we hated each other because of that.” That has changed, there is a lot of respect for each other.
Ferrari driver Leclerc is clearly in the lead in the world championship rankings. The Monegasque has won two of the three races so far and scored a total of 71 points. Verstappen is only sixth in the World Cup with 25 points. The Dutchman emphasized after two race failures that they will have to wait and see whether the reliability problems with the Red Bull have been resolved this weekend.