Charles Leclerc reveals joke that gave Ferrari last-lap "heart attack"

Leclerc, Ferrari, Bahrain, 2022 — Photo: © LAT Images

Bahrain Grand Prix

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Leclerc reveals joke that gave Ferrari last-lap "heart attack"

Leclerc won the first race of the season

Ewan Gale

Monday 21 March 2022 09:15

Charles Leclerc has explained how a final lap practical joke gave a "heart attack" to some of his Ferrari team at the Bahrain Grand Prix.

The Monégasque led Carlos Sainz home for a one-two for the Scuderia to end two years of pain as it secured its first victory since the 2019 Singapore Grand Prix 46 races ago.

Leclerc was also able to exorcise demons of the Bahrain event from the same year where he suffered power unit issues when comfortably leading the race, eventually finishing third.

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Asked if his win had helped overcome that disappointment, Leclerc replied: "Yeah, yeah, I mean it feels good.

"I did a bit of a joke on the radio on the last lap saying there was something strange with the engine which gave a heart attack to some of the engineers I am sure.

"But everything was fine. Very happy this time we brought it home."

Leclerc victory validates Ferrari's hard work

Ferrari suffered its worst constructors' championship result for 40 years in 2020 due to an underperforming power unit before a mini resurgence last season provided optimism of a return to better days.

The Maranello-based team's pre-season programme, added to the performance across the Bahraini weekend, has confirmed the upward trajectory.

Paying testament to the work ethic of his team in order to get back to the top, Leclerc added: "I am incredibly happy after the last two seasons that have been very difficult for the team, for myself and also for Carlos last year.

"We had to work extremely hard and we did work hard and well, and to finally prove the work we have done in the past two years is paying off feels amazing."