Leclerc sees Championship slipping away: "It starts to be difficult"

Charles Leclerc finished the Belgian Grand Prix in sixth place and almost has a 100-point deficit to rival Max Verstappen in the World Championship. In fact, the man from Monaco drops down to second in the standings and starts to see it slipping away. 

Eight races remain

Leclerc needs to close a 98-point gap to Verstappen within eight races. It seems as if the Dutchman has one hand on the World Championship already. Leclerc had the chance to pick up a few more points but was punished with a time penalty due to speeding in the pit lane. Leclerc owns up for the mistake. 

"The pit lane is not bad luck, it's my fault. A mistake and that's it. We were just not quick enough. This is the big problem, more than anything. It's starting to look difficult, especially with the pace they've shown," Leclerc told Sky Sports.

Leclerc started one place behind Verstappen on the grid. On lap eight, the Red Bull driver was already into the podium places but Leclerc was still in the midfield because he had to pit. This is when he realised that it would be a difficult race.  

"To be honest after the start I was hopeful but we then had the tear-off in the brakes. We had to stop and start everything again. Then I knew it would be a difficult race," Leclerc added.

Leclerc was then asked about his World Championship chances. The Ferrari didn't respond with a yes or a no, but made it clear how he felt. "Errr, again it starts to be very difficult," Leclerc concluded.