Charles Leclerc is Max Verstappen's title rival, but is currently 80 points behind the Dutchman. The battle has not led to any controversial moments or crashes between the Ferrari and Red Bull Racing driver all season and the Monegasque knows why.
Leclerc highlights difference with Hamilton
The 2022 title race is still very much at peace after twelve races compared to last year's title fight between Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Both Leclerc and Verstappen have had a lead in the standings this season, but the drivers have not been very close for several races in a row. The main reason for this is that problems have cropped up at both Red Bull and Ferrari, often allowing the drivers to make big strides against each other in the standings.
Leclerc's personal mistakes also contribute to his large deficit. The Monegasque is very self-conscious about that. According to Leclerc, the fact that the gaps between Verstappen and the Ferrari driver in the championship were always large is the reason why the title battle has not yet escalated. To the BBC Leclerc said: "It depends how far your opponent is willing to go. This year it was like either I had a lead and didn't take the risk, or he had a lead and didn't take the risk. Or I didn't want to take a risk because I have a lot of points to make up."
Leclerc does not rule out escalation with Verstappen
Leclerc does not rule out that the battle between the two could escalate this year as it did last year between Verstappen and Hamilton: "The title battle last year was much more prone to such things, because it was so close until the end of the year. I think we would have had the same kind of battle if it had been this close all year. If our chances are not already gone, maybe we will see that at the end of the year."
All the real F1 fans stated this. Only people who didn't were Redbull and Verstappen fans. If max has no points next 4 races and Charles wins them. We will see the hatchet come out of Redbull and reckless driving. There won't be Horner saying how nice Ferrari is etc..
Will Charles be aggressive in the second half for Max to get a DNF I see that looming from now ?
I suppose if you are used to being first and winning for quite some time (LH & Merc) then when someone comes along to challenge that status quo, it can be difficult for the person in the winning position to accept. I think this is where LH & T.Wolff attempted to manipulate matters somewhat as it was a real culture shock to them. There was an incredible amount of face-saving going on, which resulted in on track gaffes from LH and the culmination of cheating with the Brazil '21 rocket ship which I still cannot believe was allowed to happen. On another note, Leclerc just hasn't really got the balls or the ability to handle the pressure.
The bottom line is you wont be as aggressive or race a friend as hard as you would another driver that you don’t particularly like. That’s why the racing this year has been a lot cleaner and respectful compared to last season. The fact that their respective team principals are not bitching about each other openly or to the FIA also helps.
Justice was served in Abu Dhabi. Justice is continuing to be served in 2022. Sir Lewis Hamilton is finished. Max is just getting started.
See even Charles knows how far Max will go if push comes to shove. We saw plainly in 2021 that Max will shamelessly push his rivals off the track, brake check them or crash them out of a race. Right now there is no pressure for Max to do so because Ferrari have made so many mistakes. When he was behind in the points there was also no point for Max to be aggressive and take risks. But if Charles was running Max close in the points, you would totally see 2021 Max emerge again. It's the type of driver he is. Not afraid to play dirty to win.
I guess the circus stops here every week because you're definitely a clown. You have no idea what either driver would do in 22. See in 21 it had been a long time anyone forced LH's hand on track. Rolling out the red carpet for him had become a theme. Max thought otherwise and decided LH in fact was NOT entitled to the title and LH didn't handle the challenge so well. There is endeth thine lesson. Back to the circus for you
Because he’s faster than you Charles ! He doesn’t need to worry
I don’t know if I’d say Max is faster in a car for car scenario. But, he is way more consistent which is the key to winning championships. Max rarely makes driver errors. Add to that his lead in the championship and no pressure from the other side of the garage. He’s calm and cool and will take this years trophy for sure.
More throwaway lines. Actually Charles has been faster than Max many times. When Ferrari are on their game they have shown then can easily take it to Max and sometimes Max has no answer which is why Horner always makes up a story about something being wrong with Max's car or that he was close to retiring the car. Max's car is the fastest now, we've clearly seen this. Full speed on a straight, even a Ferrari with DRS open can't catch it. So no wonder Max is winning races. He has the ability sure, but his flexible floored car is making it happen.
Why is everyone ao hung up on the speed on the straights for being the fastest? You do not record a lap time ON THE STRAIGHTS. You do over the entire lap, which includes the corners. Given Ferrari almost took all poles (75%), not hard to see which car is the fastest right, over the entire lap, not just the straights. It is not a drag race…
"Why is everyone ao hung up on the speed on the straights for being the fastest? You do not record a lap time ON THE STRAIGHTS. You do over the entire lap, which includes the corners." And that is EXACTLY what the Mercedes fans were saying over and over and over and over and over and over again to the Red Bull fans during 2021. But would ANY of them listen? NO! Not one. In 2021, the Mercedes had the fastest top speed in a straight line. But round a lap, Red Bull were quicker. Yet all we heard was how Max was so amazing because he won in the 2nd fastest car. Remember?? Red Bull had the best car over a lap for the majority of 2021. But not a single RB fan want to admit to this feat or engineering that Red Bull created. No, they rather pretended it was slower so they could hand more credit to Max for beating the 'faster car'. So NOW you want to admit this? A season later? Unbelievable.
Maybe for some. I have a very good memory and I hold grudges.
Let's not, has been exausted already and is water under the bridge anyway
It doesn't matter if you personally said it or not. Virtually all of the RB trolls here did. For them it was their hero beating a faster car 100% of the time. That is until Max wasn't beating Lewis, then suddenly it was a rocketship. I like cans of worms, open it.
Like I said, I never said the Merc was consistently faster last year. You are barking up the wrong tree. There were other factors in play last year, but let's not open that can of worms.
" It depended on the circuit who came out on top." This is another point I made multiple times last year but it seemingly fell on deaf ears. All the RB fans were interested in was pushing this narrative that Lewis had a rocketship (remember that word?) and Max was always winning in a slower car. And now you say it was close and track dependant. Quite the change of tune. The issue Merc had and still does is switching on it's tyres. Yes towards the end it was a LOT quicker because Lewis had a new engine which didn't have to last long so the engine mapping could be turned up. But engine power alone doesn't get you laptime. Terms that are frequently used are not always factally correct. "Btw, I never said the RB was consistently slower in 2021." I'll bet you never corrected those that did though :) Well here we are in 2022 with Red Bull having the top speed advantage. A car that can just about outrun a Ferrari with it's DRS open on a straight. A shame that Ferrari are handing Max the title this year though. Would have been nice to see Max challenged for this title. If only Lewis had been there.
Last year it was close. It depended on the circuit who came out on top. The MB was quicker on the straights (and towards the end A LOT quixker), but slightly behind in the corners. However, the MB never was a car which was terrible in the corners. It was overall quite balanced. The term 'on rails' was frequently used for the MB. That said, at the beginning of the season, say first half, the RB was the better car, the second half the MB. Btw, I never said the RB was consistently slower in 2021. It is never that simple, unless the 1-2's are more of a certainty than exception, in certain seasons.
Hamilton was one of the best at his era..new generations I would say half of them are faster but still he is a good average driver now.. you can't compare Max to Hamilton unless you are blind. Hamilton needs a car at least half a second faster than Max to beat him. It is clear that the ferrari is the fastest car but Max is the consistent driver who deliver every race. MB car even as fast as RB car now and we can see that clear comparing to Perez last race but again to take Max down MB need a car that's at least half a second faster if not more. Clearly because Max is a way waaay better driver
More puke from another ignorant troll. This place is a like a magnet for them. :)
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