Leclerc Vows Ferrari Will Continue To Push After Securing Third Place In Belgian Grand Prix

Add as a preferred source on Google

Charles Leclerc expressed determination for Ferrari to maintain their momentum after securing third place in the Belgian Grand Prix. He successfully defended his position against Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula One world champion, throughout the race. Despite a near mishap with six laps left, Verstappen couldn't overtake him. This marked Leclerc's fifth podium finish this season and highlighted Ferrari's progress with recent car upgrades.

Leclerc's performance, combined with Lewis Hamilton finishing seventh, strengthened Ferrari's hold on second place in the Constructors' Championship. Although they trail McLaren by 268 points, Leclerc remains optimistic about the upcoming Hungarian Grand Prix. "Honestly, we've had what we expected from this upgrade and that's really positive," said Leclerc. "We need to keep learning on how to maximise this new upgrade."

The improvements seen at Spa were encouraging for Ferrari. The team introduced new upgrades that contributed to their competitive edge. Leclerc noted that while these changes are still fresh, they provided a solid start to the weekend. He expressed satisfaction with being on the podium and hopes to challenge McLaren more closely soon.

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton described his experience in Belgium as forgettable despite finishing in the top 10 after starting from the pit lane due to power unit and setup adjustments. By lap 10, he had gained five positions and completed 11 overtakes during the race.

Hamilton faced difficulties during qualifying sessions for both the sprint and Sunday's race, failing to advance past the first rounds. "I always enjoy those sorts of conditions," said Hamilton. "It was massively tricky being that far back in conditions where, at the beginning, it was really not that easy to see."

The seven-time world champion acknowledged his team's efforts despite not achieving his desired result. He appreciated their strategic decisions throughout the weekend and aims for better performance next time.

Hamilton also questioned some decisions made during the race regarding weather conditions. He felt a rolling start wasn't necessary as visibility improved significantly by then. Despite these challenges, he was pleased with his recovery and earning points from such a challenging position.

The weekend in Belgium offered mixed results for both drivers but showed potential for future races. With continued focus on maximising upgrades and refining strategies, Ferrari aims to close the gap with McLaren in upcoming events.