“I took more risk than I should have done,” Charles Leclerc reflects on the shift in his mindset at the Imola GP

“I took more risk than I should have done,” Charles Leclerc reflects on the shift in his mindset at the Imola GP

Mattia Binotto with Charles Leclerc

Charles Leclerc had not put a single foot wrong until his costly error in Imola which did cost him a handful of points. The Monegasque driver has ticked all the boxes as far as being a title winning driver goes. Charles already has three podiums in the first four races of the season. He could have definitely made it four out of four had it not been unforced error which costed him a podium finish.

The Ferrari driver has continuously locked horns with the reigning world champion, Max Verstappen, and has got the better off him on more than one occasions. This string of impressive performances started with a win in Bahrain when he was challenged and pushed to the limit by Max Verstappen but Leclerc stood firm and took the attack to the world champion. That was a statement win by him.

But Imola GP felt like that the pressure got to Charles Leclerc, which made him crack. Obviously, it was a disastrous weekend for Ferrari with Carlos Sainz spinning out of the race and both the Red Bull securing a spot on the podium. But, Charles Leclerc’s podium looked like the only thing to celebrate for the Tifosi but that was also taken away from them when he spun off the race and eventually finished P6.

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Also read: “Max Verstappen and Red Bull are the combo to beat,” Martin Brundle comments on Red Bull’s pace

Charles Leclerc break down his down his approach at the Imola GP

Charles Leclerc
Charles Leclerc

Recently, we got to understand the thought process behind the aggressive approach of Charles Leclerc. In a recent interview, he said, “I think on that particular lap I saw an opportunity.”

“Throughout the race I had been very honest with myself and I thought Red Bull was too quick for us. Third place was the place we deserved through the weekend because we just weren’t as quick as Red Bull.”

“But on that particular lap my mindset changed and I saw the opportunity to go for second, and I took more risk than I should have done instead of just taking the third place home.”

Charles Leclerc obviously had a moment of madness at the Imola GP but that is part and parcel of any driver who wants to win the world championship. Therefore, it’ll be more important for him to learn from it rather than dwell on it.

Also read: “He will struggle to beat him,” Juan Pablo Montoya makes his choice in Max Verstappen- Charles Leclerc battle in Miami