Binotto called Leclerc himself: 'Respect his decision'

For Charles Leclerc, 2022 has been a year of two faces. On the one hand, he is happy that Ferrari made a big move and was able to fight for victories with Red Bull Racing, on the other, Leclerc believes there was a lot more in it. The Monegasque hopes to compete with Max Verstappen for the world title for longer in 2023.

Since the last Grand Prix of the season in Abu Dhabi, Leclerc has been very busy. Just this week, he crawled into a Ferrari on the Fiorano circuit. "It's not been that much of a long break since the last race, but I think mentally you disconnect. It felt like I had to get used to it again but everything went well, we obviously did loads of tyre tests which went good, which was positive."

Leclerc moderately satisfied

When Leclerc was then asked how pleased he was with the splitting of the two Red Bull drivers in the world championship, he replied after some reflection. “Not too much to be honest. Looking back at the season, I think it’s been a good season, especially looking at 2020 and 2021 that have been two very difficult years for the team. It wasn’t a given that would we take much of a step forward and finish second in the drivers and constructors championship so of that, I’m happy."

The 25-year-old driver has had some frustrating moments this year. That, too, did not go unmentioned prior to the FIA gala. ""But then obviously looking a bit more into the season closely, there has been the middle part of the season that has been very frustrating, where we didn’t really put everything together coming to the Sunday, that was frustrating. So mixed feelings about this season, but yeah second place is quite good, I just hope it is a step forward and then for next year, we can do another step forward.”

Binotto leaves

Ahead of the FIA gala, Leclerc also tells how he was informed of Binotto's departure. The team boss did so himself. "Mattia called me to announce that he would stop which I respect his decision and can only thank him. He’s believed in me from the start, he extended me with a very very long contract and before being team principal he was in the Scuderia for many many years and he has contributed to the success the team had in the past years, so I wish him the best and obviously now it’s up to us to focus on the future and try and take the right choices in order to be more of a challenge to Red Bull next year," he concluded.