Leclerc explains harsh self-criticism

Charles Leclerc says his public self-criticism is simply what he believes to be the best way of improving his performances.

Leclerc has made an impressive start to life at Ferrari and sits third in the drivers' championship with four races to go.

The Monegasque has made mistakes along the way, however, and is often self-flagellating when making errors, such as his famous "I am stupid" message over team radio following his qualifying crash in Baku this year.

Although some onlookers say Leclerc is too harsh on himself, he says this is the only way he knows to improve himself.

Leclerc told Reuters: "I've always been very hard on myself, it's the way that works with me. I don't like to hide the errors I make. Any time I'm doing a mistake, I'm just saying it.

"For me, it's the easiest way to improve from that afterwards. I analyse everything I do and when I see something I don't like I try to find the solution and that's why I'm so hard on myself.

"It might be that for some drivers it doesn't work like that but on my side I'm pretty sure this is the way forward so I will stay like this."

Leclerc believes continuing to be hard on himself will be crucial in 2020 if he is to push towards a title challenge.

"Whether I would go back in the past to change them, I don't think so because I think you learn from mistakes," he said.

"Consistency will be extremely important next year if we've got the car to win the championship. Consistency will be key and I need to work on that."

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