Leclerc towards Mexico
Austin was essentially a weekend to forget for Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque did indeed win pole position number 21 of his career, but as happens all too often he was unable to convert it into a victory. It’s the fault of an SF-23 which has the usual limitations in race pace, also glimpsed in Texas in the Sprint and then reiterated with greater force in the race.
The disqualification imposed on the Italian night by the commissioners was only the latest insult of the weekend for Leclerc, who also raced full of painkillers due to an infection in a wisdom tooth. The Monegasque can only turn the page and hope for a better weekend in Mexico, a circuit not particularly in the good graces of #16, who took pole here in 2019 but has never been on the podium.
Leclerc’s words
“Mexico is always a special place. The passion there is incredible, and one of the races where there is the most support. I’ve always liked Mexico, I went there for New Year’s Eve two years ago and it was beautiful: the race is no exception, I’ve always liked going there. The stadium area is incredible, there are so many people and so much extravagance, especially when we do the parade lap. We can feel how much passion there is in the stands, it’s incredible. My favorite sector is the central one, which is done at high speed, but the final one is also beautiful for the Arena. I love the Arena, a little less the curves there. If we’re talking about driveability, I prefer the second sector, if we’re talking about passions and the environment, the third sector“.
In the drivers’ standings, the Monegasque is -20 behind teammate Carlos Sainz and even risks seventh position following the onslaught of George Russell, now at -8. Margins that would undoubtedly have been smaller without Austin’s disqualification, but Leclerc will certainly not look too much at the rankings in a disastrous and disastrous season and will aim for the best possible result to make up for the latest disappointment.
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