Leclerc warns the competition: 'I'm very hungry for next year'

Charles Leclerc collected the prize for his third place in the drivers' championship on Friday evening in Rwanda. The Monegasque admitted that the disappointment from missing out on the constructors' championship is still fresh. Despite the result, he's super excited for next season, as he revealed at the FIA prize-giving ceremony in Kigali.

Ferrari lost out on the constructor's title by just 14 points after 24 hard-fought races. Leclerc had a great race in Abu Dhabi, making up many grid positions after starting from 19th place, eventually finishing in third. After the race on Sunday, he was disappointed that the Scuderia couldn't win the constructors championship in Carlos Sainz's last season with the team. Seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton will replace him in 2025.

Leclerc is already prepared to jump straight back into racing action. "I am very hungry for next year. Obviously, the disappointment is still fresh from the last race, and it was last week. We have been fighting with McLaren until the last race. But they have just done better over the whole season. They deserve the title, and my congratulations go to them and to Max," he began.

Despite the late disappointment, there were many memorable moments for the Monegasque throughout the season. Leclerc won at home in Monaco, as well as at the home of Ferrari in Monza. It was also special for him to drive with his little brother during free practice in Abu Dhabi. "So all in all, a lot of positive moments in a season like this, but of course, coming second or third is not what we want. We want to win. But the second half of the season was super positive for the team, and I'm looking forward to trying to take fighting for the championship finally." Leclerc concluded.

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