Leclerc emotional after 'tough to take' title defeat to McLaren
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Charles Leclerc has addressed Ferrari's narrow defeat to rivals McLaren in the 2024 constructors championship. Leclerc seemed dejected after the race on Sunday but now has a more positive outlook on a season where he succeeded more than the last, as it included wins on Monaco and Monza. Leclerc also said farewell to his teammate Carlos Sainz. The former Ferrari driver has already spent time with his new team, Williams, in post-season testing at the Yas Marina Circuit.
Leclerc shares an emotional message:
So that’s it, the 2024 season is finished. Leclerc begins in a message on X. "Third in the Drivers’ Championship and Second in the Constructors’ Championship. We came so close to achieving our ultimate goal and, to lose the championship at the very last race is tough to take," he explained. It was clear that Leclerc was devastated by the result. After starting from 19th place, the Ferrari driver moved up sss places in a last-ditch effort to help his team steal their first constructors title since 2008.
He continued: "But I’m very proud of what we’ve achieved as a team this year. We turned a tough start of the season into a good fight for the Constructors Title until the very last lap of the last race. Winning Monaco and Monza has always been a dream of mine and we managed to win both of them this year. It’s something I’ll forever remember." Arguably, those two races are the most important to Leclerc. He won his home race at the Monte Carlo Street Circuit in style, as well as winning at the home of the Tifosi in Monza.
Leclerc bids farewell to Sainz:
Leclerc also sent a message to Carlos Sainz, whom he had to say goodbye to as his teammate in Abu Dhabi. Since the conclusion of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Sanz has been behind the wheel of the Williams for a filming day and testing. "Carlos, thank you for being a fantastic teammate and always pushing me to improve. It’s been an honour to fight alongside you for Ferrari. continued the Monegasque, who has spent four seasons with the Spaniard alongside him.
"And finally, thank you to all of you who supported me throughout the whole year through the good and bad moments. Our time will come, I’m sure.
We’ll work flat out to prepare next season in the best possible way, and we’ll try again." A motivated Leclerc concluded.
This article was written in collaboration with Nicole Mulder.
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