On the present F1 grid, if there’s one driver who has confirmed able to battling Max Verstappen on equal phrases—given their shared historical past—it’s Charles Leclerc. The 2 clashed a number of instances throughout their karting days, making them extremely accustomed to one another’s strikes.
Max Verstappen’s aggressive driving requirements have sparked controversy in earlier seasons and once more in 2024, notably in Mexico Metropolis, the place he obtained a 20-second penalty after forcing title rival Lando Norris off the observe in a wheel-to-wheel duel. This aggressive fashion, nonetheless, has earned Max Verstappen 63 Grand Prix victories and 4 world championships.
Charles Leclerc, a former karting rival of Max Verstappen, shares a storied historical past with the Dutchman. They famously collided throughout their early careers and have additionally confronted off in F1, notably on the 2019 Austrian Grand Prix, the place Max Verstappen overtook Charles Leclerc, then main the race, to grab victory within the closing phases.
In an unique interview with *RacingNews365*, Charles Leclerc reiterated that he can match Max Verstappen’s aggressive fashion when the scenario calls for it.
“You must decide your battles, and I feel Max is aware of adapt to totally different conditions, as we noticed in 2024,” Charles Leclerc said.
“There have been instances when he wasn’t aggressive, however because the season progressed and Lando was closing the hole, you can see he began enjoying inside the guidelines far more. I really feel I’m able to doing the identical. When there’s one thing essential at stake, when it’s time to take dangers with the identical folks, I’ll do it. However that’s additionally why I’ve at all times loved racing in opposition to Max: the driving force’s mindset is essential. We’ve recognized one another for a very long time, so it’s at all times extra thrilling once we combat collectively.”
“Sadly, not in 2024, as a result of in the beginning of the season, he had a reasonably dominant automobile, and we weren’t in rivalry with him. He had no motive to be aggressive with us in sure methods, and by then, we had been enjoying catch-up. Once we had been aggressive, Lando was within the combine, so he by no means noticed us as direct rivals. That’s why there weren’t such battles in 2024.”
Max Verstappen has dominated F1 since 2021, securing 19 wins out of twenty-two races within the 2023 season earlier than including one other 9 to defend his title once more final season.
For Charles Leclerc, Max Verstappen’s success comes as no shock.
“It’s not stunning. Realizing him since we had been younger, I’ve at all times acknowledged his expertise from day one. I noticed Max when he was very younger, identical to me, and the way in which we grew up collectively. He’s extraordinarily strong and maintains his biggest power—his expertise. He’s dependable, constant, and extremely quick. He’s a tremendous driver and deserves all of the success he’s achieved.” – he identified.
There’s mutual respect between the 2, and their battles are spectacular. Consider their duels in early 2019 or 2022, the place that they had critical wheel-to-wheel fights.
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