F1 News: Leclerc pens tribute to Ferrari ally after stunning exit

Charles Leclerc in Melbourne, Australia — Photo: © IMAGO

Latest F1 News

Leclerc pens heartfelt tribute to Ferrari ally after stunning exit

There has been a major departure at the Italian team

Originally written by GPFans Staff. This version is a translation.

Monday 13 May 2024 22:00

Charles Leclerc has reacted to the news of a surprise Formula 1 departure.

The Ferrari star has had a fair start to his 2024 season, and currently sits third in the drivers' championship, 38 points behind leader Max Verstappen.

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Leclerc will have to deal with a major shakeup in 2025 as seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton partners him at the Scuderia.

Additionally, for the rest of the current season, the Monaco national will need to deal with a key change to his race weekend.

Charles Leclerc finished third at the Miami Grand Prix

Charles Leclerc is in his sixth season with Ferrari

Leclerc wishes engineer well on departure

Race engineers play a vital role in F1, and are often heard giving out technical instructions and information over team radio.

Leclerc and Marcos have had a well-documented partnership. The Monegasque has had the same engineer since his debut with the Scuderia, and their radio exchanges have often made for good - if at times confusing and infuriating - listening.

The Ferrari driver has had several fraught exchanges over the radio, but on Instagram Leclerc moved to wish his engineer well for the future.

Charles Leclerc will have a new engineer from Imola

"Grazie mille di tutto Xavi [Thank you so much for everything, Xavi]," he wrote.

“So many years working together, my first pole, my first win as well as my first year in Ferrari was alongside you and you always got the better out of me by pushing so hard no matter the situation we were in.

“Thank you for everything and good luck for your new adventures in the future."