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Charles Leclerc “happy to wait” until 2021 for World Championship

Charles Leclerc “happy to wait” until 2021 for World Championship

25-01-2020 17:21
10

Bevan Youl

Charles Leclerc has said that he is “happy to wait” until 2021 to win a Formula 1 World Championship with Ferrari but has “hope” for a challenge this year before the changes in regulations.

Leclerc enters his second season with Ferrari for 2020, only his third in F1 in total, off the back of an excellent year that saw him finish ahead of Sebastian Vettel in the standings, and claim two wins and seven pole positions.
 
The Scuderia were unable to mount a consistent challenge to Mercedes throughout 2019 but the 2020 season is expected to be a close battle with the Silver Arrows and Aston Martin Red Bull Racing.
 
Leclerc hopes for a title challenge the coming year but wants to be as ready as possible for 2021 when the budget cap and new car regulations come in.
 
“I hope in 2020 I can win the title, but I am happy to wait until 2021 if I have the title for sure,” he said at Autosport International 2020.

“It is going to be very difficult and I think 2020 will be a very important year when teams are going to invest a lot because the budget cap is coming in from 2021.

“I will try to be as ready as possible for 2021 as I think it will be a big year and hopefully we will be working properly as a team to build a right car to be able to win the championship.”

Leclerc reiterates his goal of becoming World Champion and believes he can do it with the ‘best team’ and bring them the success that has eluded them since the 2008 constructors title.

“The goal is always to target the highest possible so in case I fail to get there I only go a little bit below,” he explained.

“Basically, it is to be world champion which is very, very optimistic but I will always target very high.

“This is it and I will try to give everything to try to win. In the end I am driving, for me, the best team and I just want to give them what they deserve so it is up to me to do the job on the track.”