Leclerc will “learn the lessons and not make the same mistake again” as in Imola
Only sixth at Imola after an avoidable mistake towards the end of the race, Charles Leclerc has spoken out. He acknowledges his error and believes he has learned for the rest of the season. However, the Monegasque still maintains a significant advantage at the top of the championship.
After his mistake at Imola, which cost him a podium that was within reach, Charles Leclerc finished only in sixth place at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. His off-track excursion, following an overly aggressive attack on a still damp track, sparked much debate. The mental strength of the Monegasque driver and his ability to handle pressure were called into question, in particular.
« It’s one of those mistakes where it’s a bit more due to the mental approach you had at that precise moment in the race. But I’ve always been good at knowing exactly what specific feeling I experienced at that moment and how to correct it. So yes, it’s a mistake, but I will learn from it and won’t do it again. », explains Leclerc to The Race.
After finishing first in the championship at Imola, Leclerc is (finally) in an ideal position to hope for a chance to win his first world championship title. However, the Monegasque doesn’t believe he has cracked under pressure, even as he carries the hopes of the tifosi to see a Ferrari driver win the championship for the first time since 2007.
« At least, that’s what I think. We had pressure not only today [Sunday], but throughout the weekend. And I don’t think I made many mistakes before today. It’s the mistake that cost me dearly. And I will learn from it. But no, on my part, there was no specific additional pressure. », defends the Ferrari driver.
Despite this mistake, Leclerc can take comfort in the fact that he still has a comfortable cushion of points ahead of his new runner-up in the standings, Max Verstappen (with a gap of 27 points). It is an undeniable advantage that mitigates the cost of his off-track incident, even though Leclerc knows how much each point can count in the end, as the 2021 season has proven to everyone in the paddock.
« I’ve been a bit lucky because I’ve only lost seven points compared to what I could have scored. But those are seven points that could be crucial at the end of the season. And every point matters when you’re driving for the title. So yes, it won’t happen again, announces Leclerc.
