Welcome to “Behind the phrase”a department in which its staff The SportingNews seeks to interpret and delve into the sayings of the sport’s protagonists. It is well known: behind what is said (and why not, and what is not said) there is often much more than meets the eye. On this occasion, the focus will be on his recent statements Charles Leclercits pilot ferrarifor the opportunities he has missed in the first half of his 2022 season Formula 1.
Charles Leclerc’s quote after retiring from the 2022 French GP
“I’m losing too many points, I think seven at Imola, 25 here (in France), because honestly we were the best car on the track this time. If we lose the league by 32 points at the end of the season, And it’s unacceptable, I have to overcome these things.”
behind the sentence
The worry of Charles Leclerc after his crash at the 2022 French GP was total. First I go through a huge rage situation, as heard on the radio, with heavy breathing and heavy shouting. Then it could be seen sadin his body language and what he said into the microphones.
Leclerc’s victory at Paul Ricard did not look certain beyond pole position and having led every lap of the race until his crash: Max Verstappen almost underestimated him and it had a very good pace too. But in any case, dropping seven away points in the league is not the same as 25.
Not to mention if Leclerc could win and close the gap on the Dutchman to 31 points, just over a date. Now the difference is 233 to 170 in favor of Verstappen63 points that do not add up not even on two dates that are 10 at stake from now until mid-November. Much more than the 32 points Leclerc mentions, although it is clear that having them would make the scenario different.
Nonetheless, Leclerc only referred to his driving mistakes in those lost pointsdue to mistakes by both Imola and Paul Ricard, but his lag behind Verstappen in the championship is explained by something more.
In Spain and to AzerbaijanLeclerc retired after taking pole position for car mechanical problems, the same one that nearly spoiled the victory he won a few days ago in Austria. In MonacoLeclerc was also the favorite to win from pole, but a team strategy error left him fourth. The same happened to you Britainwhere Carlos Sainz won.
Leclerc gave up about 32 points, but ferraribetween his unreliability and his strategic mistakes, It also potentially cost its pilot over 60 pointswho could very well be leading the championship or at least a win or less clear of Verstappen.
The whole weight cannot be placed on the problems of one or the other: Ferrari and Leclerc must work in perfect harmony to go, from weekend to weekend, to get closer to Verstappen: to get as many points as possible (win and fastest lap), and without depending on what the champion does (ie assuming the Dutchman is second), Leclerc would only overtake Max in the championship after the Mexican GPwith an advantage of two dates from the end of the season.
