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Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen. Photo: Race Pictures

Leclerc reveals why Verstappen’s title charge comes as no surprise

12:26, 25 Oct

bySamson Ero

Charles Leclerc has admitted he is not surprised by the late title charge from Max Verstappen, which is putting pressure on both McLaren drivers.

“I'm never surprised. Max is always driving at a very high level.”

- Charles Leclerc

The Scuderia Ferrari driver explained how Verstappen has consistently been at the top of his game before touching on how the Red Bull team has continued to push their development.

“I'm never surprised. Max is always driving at a very high level, considering Red Bull is probably the team that has pushed development more than any other.”

“McLaren stopped quite a while ago, we also stopped quite a while ago, and Mercedes and Red Bull are the two teams that pushed for a bit longer. So it's not a complete surprise.”

Charles Leclerc during the Mexico City Grand Prix - Photo: Race Pictures

Leclerc further stated that, despite Verstappen’s form, he would be surprised if the Dutchman clinched the drivers’ title.

“I’d be very surprised if he manages to win the championship from where he is. He is always on top of things and always performing extremely well, but he’s still 40 points behind, and 40 points is significant."

“If I had to bet one dollar, I probably would on the McLaren drivers. But yeah, you can never really rule out Max.”

Over the last four race weekends, Verstappen has cut the gap to championship leader Oscar Piastri to 40 points from over 100 as of the Dutch Grand Prix. The Red Bull Racing driver now has his sights set on perfection as he aims for his fifth consecutive drivers’ title.

Leclerc on battling the top three drivers with nothing to lose

Leclerc also touched on battling the top three drivers while having nothing at stake for himself. The Monegasque driver believes this gives him a slight advantage in duels with the trio, considering he has no title on the line.

“The context is always important when you're fighting someone. You are aware that, in my case, there's not much to lose; in their cases, there's a lot to lose. That gives a little bit of an advantage."

“But for me to use this advantage, I need to be on their pace, and at the moment, it doesn't seem that we are on the pace of McLaren or Red Bull. But if we are, for sure, especially at the start, in these kinds of situations, those three drivers will be a bit more cautious with me than they will be with each other.”