Charles Leclerc to miss “adrenalin rush” of racing after Abu Dhabi

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc has said that he is going to miss the “adrenalin rush” of driving a Formula 1 car over the months between the end of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and preparation for the 2020 season at pre-season testing in Barcelona in February.

Leclerc will be competing in his final race of only his second season in F1, having stepped up as a race winner with Ferrari in 2019 after his debut season with Sauber (now Alfa Romeo) in 2018.
 
Certainly a year to remember as the Monegasque claimed his first pole position in Bahrain but unfortunately finished third due to engine issues, later winning his first and back to back races in Belgium and Italy, while adding another six pole’s to his name.
 
But Leclerc will miss the racing feeling during the off-season.
 
“Abu Dhabi, the last grand prix of the season,” he said. “Most of the paddock is probably looking forward to enjoying their holidays.
 
“From my perspective, I am actually pretty sad that I won’t be feeling that adrenalin rush behind the wheel for the next few months.”
 
Leclerc is locked in a battle with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen for third place in the championship, sitting 11 points behind the Dutchman having lost out after his collision with teammate Sebastian Vettel in Brazil.
 
“At this race, everyone is pushing to the maximum as, for most drivers, there’s nothing to lose,” he added.

“The race starts in daylight and ends at night, which is something pretty special that we don’t experience anywhere else.
 
“Another aspect that is different here is tyre degradation, which is something we have to get accustomed to and anticipate.

“It always makes for an interesting race and I am very much looking forward to my last outing of the season with Scuderia Ferrari.”