Leclerc “surprised” by “stronger” Ferrari

Melbourne victory was not predicted by championship leader

Will Gray

Friday 15 April 2022 12:44

Charles Leclerc has expressed his surprise at securing victory in the Australian Grand Prix with Ferrari entering the weekend expecting to trail rivals, Red Bull.

Leclerc dominated the race at Albert Park, gaining an added bonus when reigning world champion Max Verstappen retired from second place mid-way through the race.

He now leads the championship by 34 points from George Russell, with the gap to Verstappen 46.

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“On paper, we were a bit behind Red Bull [at Melbourne] but apparently, well, we were stronger than we thought," explained Leclerc.

“It was a good surprise. Definitely. I am only giving the feedback of what I want from the car and then its up to the guys in Maranello to do a stronger engine, a reliable engine, a good car, and they’ve managed just that this season.”

Leclerc - Ferrari success “not a given”

Leclerc has won two of the opening three races in 2022, both from pole position, and the Monegasque driver is stepping up another level after rising through the ranks of the team’s junior team.

The team recovered from a disastrous 2020 season to get back onto the podium last season, but the new regulation changes have catapulted it back to winning ways for the first time since the Singapore Grand Prix in 2019.

Leclerc added: “I’m incredibly happy and incredibly proud to be driving for Ferrari and it shows how great they are because for the last few years it wasn’t a given that we would be at this level and we are.

“We need to keep pushing, the season is long but it’s an extremely good start.”