Leclerc receives the gift during the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix last April. Photo: video capture.
Believe or break out. As in any story, to understand the reason for what arose in the last hours after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix In Formula 1 you have to look for a beginning, a development and … an end? The negative streak of Charles Leclerc Since setting foot on the Imola circuit, it has been visible and could have its start in a gift the Monegasque Ferrari driver received in that race, the fourth of the 2022 season.
This Sunday, after his second abandonment in the last three races, the social networks have been inundated with an image he has Leclerc in the role of the protagonist and the shirt of one of the most loved football teams in Italy.
The austere gesture of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz: the two Ferrari drivers retired this weekend at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Photo: Hamad Mohammed, AP.
But first you need to understand the context.. Leclerc had achieved a 1-2-1 in the first three races of the year (Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Australia respectively) and had taken a big lead at the start of the Drivers’ World Championship which had silenced the two of Dutchman Max Verstappen – timed championship attempt (Redbull).
This is how we came to April 24, when the highest category of motorsports on the planet landed on the circuit Dino and Enzo Ferrarifor a weekend that was supposed to be a party for the di prancing HorseAs far as…
Leclerc, like most of the drivers during the weekend, was visited in the Red team paddock by personalities and fans who wanted to greet him and meet him. Between them, the leadership of Lazio appeared in Romeclub that has won two Serie A championships, seven Italian Cups and a European Super Cup, among other titles.
The biancocelesti have decided to give the 24-year-old driver an autographed shirt with name and number on the back. Even if Ferrari not the biggest fanseemed to appreciate the gesture and assured: “I don’t follow football very much, but I’m very happy. Thank you very much“.
Some time later, at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the Monegasque finished sixth after hitting a wall and began the bad streak of consecutive victories that made him lose the top spot at the hands of Verstappen first and last weekend also the second place against the Mexican Sergio Checo Pérez.
Charles Leclerc sees Max Verstappen pass after qualifying in Emilia Romagna. Photo: Guglielmo Mangiapane, AP.
It is true that he was second You love me, but after getting pole position in qualifying. He now has three races in a row without getting on the podium, with two dropouts.
In Spain he left the track early due to a mechanical problem with his car, which started losing power almost halfway through the race when he was leading.
At the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc had avoided the rain but crashed into the wall. Photo: REUTERS / Nacho Doce.
In Monka couple of mistakes in his team’s tire strategy left him with no chance of fighting for victory in a chaotic race marked by rain and a couple of red flags.
Charles Leclerc was unable to sit on the patio of his home: he ran out of opportunities even in Monaco, in a complex race due to rain and red flags. Photo: ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP.
And this weekend a Azerbaijanwhat failed once again was the power unit of his engine when he managed to stay ahead of the standings, ahead of Verstappen – who ended up winning – and Pérez himself, who had snatched first place from him at the start.
“I went through more difficult moments, but five races ago I came with a very large distance. I intend to recover and try to find a solution.“, assured Leclerc, before saying goodbye to Baku.
The next stage of Formula 1 will be in Canada, next Sunday. Will there be a curse on the Monegasque or will it just be a mere coincidence? Believe or break out.
Source: Clarin
