Leclerc has learned from Ferrari's lesser years: 'His mindset is different'

This season, Ferrari finally seem able to fight for the world title. In the hybrid era, the Italian team have been able to win regularly, but were forced to acknowledge the superiority of Mercedes every year. This year is different, however, because due to the new regulations Mercedes have dropped to the midfield. As a result, Ferrari are suddenly in a title fight with Red Bull Racing.

It's a new scenario for Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc. Until now, the Monegasque could only fight for victories in 2019, as in 2020 and 2021 Ferrari were condemned to a role in the midfield. Leclerc has grown over that period, notes Marc Gene. The Italian team's test driver has been able to witness up close how Leclerc has developed himself, he explains in the F1 Nation podcast.

Leclerc grown within Ferrari

"He used to be very emotional and this year he has changed a lot. Charles is like a 2.0 version of himself. When I went to Barcelona for the private testing, we spent a lot of time together and he was completely changed in his mindset and his mentality, and you can see it." According to Gene, that development is now easy to see on the track.

In Bahrain, Leclerc was immediately the fastest and won the first race of the season. Only after that did Gene have confirmation that Leclerc is different from past years. "I was expecting Charles to be more over the moon after qualifying, after the pole, and the race, but he seemed so much more mature and aware that this is a very long championship."