Belgian Grand Prix | Leclerc still believes in his chances for the title

(Paris) Charles Leclerc really needed the break in Formula 1 to clear his mind. His season had started so promisingly, then his comfortable lead over rival Max Verstappen turned into a huge deficit.

Leclerc won two of the first three races of the season for Ferrari as Verstappen, driving his Red Bull, faced reliability issues. But an impressive 126-point streak over the next 10 races gave Verstappen a commanding 80-point lead ahead of Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix as the season resumes.

Mental tension piled up for Leclerc as he faced confusing team orders, as well as being furious at his own mistakes behind the wheel. The break came at the right time for a totally drained Leclerc.

“Yes, I needed it. The first part of the season was full of ups and downs. There is a lot of accumulation of emotions that causes fatigue, he confessed. I used these weeks in the best possible way with my family, my friends. It was just awesome. »

He had to clear his head.

Leclerc saw two victories that seemed to elude him – at the Monaco and British Grands Prix – when team orders dropped him from a dominant position to fourth place.

At the Hungarian Grand Prix before the mid-season break, Verstappen qualified 10^e, his worst starting grid position this season, but he still managed to clinch his record-high eighth win of 2022. Another team mess over tire strategy penalized Leclerc despite being in a good position and he finished a disappointing sixth – a week after being blasted for his crash while driving in the lead at the French Grand Prix.

But Leclerc, who leads with seven top positions this season, has unwavering conviction.

“Of course, I still believe in my chances for the championship, he swore. It will be a very difficult challenge, but I will believe in it until the end. »

Unless Verstappen is dogged by reliability issues that led to two retirements in the first three races, Leclerc pretty much has to beat him in all the remaining races. There are nine races left, including this weekend’s Grand Prix.

Seemingly impossible winning streaks have already been achieved. In 2013, Sebastian Vettel won nine consecutive races after the break to win his fourth consecutive title.

“It’s easier said than done, but I’ll do my best,” said Leclerc, who won his first race at the same Spa-Francorchamps circuit in 2019.

For Leclerc, Spa, which is Verstappen’s favorite track, is close to his heart. His victory came the day after F2 driver Anthoine Hubert died after an on-track crash.

“It’s a very special track for me. I think for every driver, the first victory is very special, explained Leclerc. I got it here under very strange conditions, with what happened on Saturday with Anthoine. »

Spa is one of the seven original circuits of the inaugural world championship in 1950. The seven-kilometre circuit, nestled in the forest of the Ardennes, is the longest in F1.

It also allows for overtaking, making it one of the best circuits to accept engine penalties as drivers can move up the field. It’s important with Leclerc and Verstappen relegated to the back of the grid.

Lando Norris (McLaren), Esteban Ocon (Alpine), Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo) and Mick Schumacher (Haas) are the others who have been penalized.

Their starting positions on the grid will be determined following qualifying on Saturday.

Hamilton on visit to Africa

Lewis Hamilton spent his break in Africa, a trip he had been planning since February.

“It’s where I wanted to go more than anywhere and I’ve been able to travel to many different places,” Hamilton said. It was amazing to see how welcoming everyone was and it was a very rewarding experience to appreciate the incredible scenery. »

The seven-time F1 champion also called it a “humbling experience” to see people live on very little.

“Just a house made out of sticks, you know, literally twigs, and no shoes, no socks, and going about their daily lives. No social networks, nor with all that we all have in the western world, he described. It didn’t seem like they were taking anything for granted, which was really, really nice to see. »

Hamilton holds the record of 103 F1 wins, but none this season. The British driver has however secured five consecutive podium finishes and believes Mercedes are very close to a victory.

” Definitively. Of course we have improved, we have had this consistency (in) recent races and made great progress, he added. The car becomes more of a racing car, which it was not at the start of the year. »

In Hungary, Mercedes placed both cars on the podium for the second race in a row. Hamilton fought his way from seventh to second place, and George Russell, holder of the pole position, finished third.

“The best performance we’ve had so far. It gave us a tremendous boost. I believe we can close the gap. »

Ferrari up front

Ferrari dominated the first free practice session as Carlos Sainz Jr. edged out Leclerc. Verstappen placed third.

The session was interrupted for about 10 minutes following an engine failure in Kevin Magnussen’s Haas which came to a stop on the track. A crane was needed to remove the car.

Liam Lawson has replaced Frenchman Pierre Gasly at the wheel of the AlphaTauri. The 20-year-old New Zealander is a Red Bull driver.

A second practice session is scheduled later.