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Leclerc on Hamilton: Whenever I put the helmet on every driver is the same

Leclerc on Hamilton: "Whenever I put the helmet on every driver is the same"

27-02-2021 09:30 Last update: 09:51
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GPblog.com

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz say they are not afraid of Lewis Hamilton when they meet him on track. They respect the record-breaking champion, but they want to fight him as hard as any other driver.

Everyone is equal in the car

"Whenever I put my helmet on every driver is the same", Leclerc is quoted by The Guardian. "I have huge respect for everyone on the grid and Lewis has achieved so much in the sport, but when I put the helmet on I try to fight him as much as I do with anybody else on the grid."

Brand new Ferrari driver Sainz thinks no differently. Whether it is a Mercedes or Williams driving in front of him, Sainz wants to pass it. "I don’t see Lewis Hamilton inside the car. The respect I have for Lewis is huge and all drivers have a lot of respect for the guy who has seven world titles – it’s incredible – but you never think about who is inside the car, you always try to beat him."

Ferrari must work hard

To attack Hamilton and Mercedes, Ferrari still needs to take some big steps. In 2020, the team finished on the podium only three times and its drivers were mostly driving in the midfield.