Deflated Leclerc concedes significantly lowered F1 target
Deflated Leclerc concedes significantly lowered F1 target
A deflated Charles Leclerc has lowered his target from clinching race wins to simply reaching the chequered flag after a turbulent start this year.
Leclerc has been forced to retire from two of the opening three rounds of the new campaign and has amassed just six points as a result, all of which were earned in Saudi Arabia.
His present tally marks a stark contrast to the 68 points he had collected after winning two of the first three races last term and as a result, his new priority is to enjoy an incident-free weekend.
Shortly after crashing out at the start of the Australian Grand Prix, Leclerc addressed his present frustration.
"For now, instead of thinking about long-term targets, I think just finishing a race without any penalties or issues whatsoever is a priority," he said.
"And then take the momentum and see what's possible."
Leclerc: 'Worst ever start'
So far this year, Leclerc was forced to retire from the Bahrain Grand Prix with a 'completely unexpected' power unit issue, while he took a 10-place grid penalty in Jeddah after the constructor fitted a third control electronics unit component - something that put him beyond the prescribed limit of two for the season.
This was compounded when Lance Stroll made contact with his Ferrari and spun him into the gravel and out of the race on Sunday.
"I'm frustrated, obviously it's the worst ever start of the season," Leclerc added.
"I mean, only six points, so it's frustrating."
READ MORE: Arrests made in Charles Leclerc luxury watch theft investigation
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F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
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