Charles Leclerc is not afraid to challenge Max Verstappen on the track. Despite criticism from McLaren about Verstappen’s aggressive racing style, Leclerc has no intention of avoiding him. The Monaco-born racer claims he knows Verstappen, a Dutchman, perhaps better than any other driver on the current grid.
Following the Austrian Grand Prix, McLaren raised some questions about Verstappen’s hard racing style. The Dutch driver battled with their racer, Lando Norris, for victory on the Red Bull Ring, resulting in a collision between the two. Team boss Andrea Stella even suggested that Verstappen’s actions in the braking zone were a result of a lack of a good precedent set in 2021. Charles Leclerc now shares his views on Verstappen’s driving style.
Leclerc and Verstappen: A Long-Standing Rivalry
Leclerc and Verstappen have a long history, dating back to their karting days. Particularly at the start of 2022, when the two were neck and neck in the drivers’ championship, Verstappen and Leclerc often found themselves in fierce competition in Formula 1. “You get to know the drivers better and better,” Leclerc told the media. “Max is probably the driver I know best on the grid, because we’ve been racing against each other for a long time. Since 2010, I think. You more or less know how each driver will react, fight, defend or attack.”
Leclerc Makes No Exceptions
The Monegasque driver does not want to make exceptions for the three-time world champion. “I will always try to fight in the same way against everyone,” explains Leclerc. However, how fiercely the Ferrari driver engages in a battle with a colleague depends on what is at stake at that moment. “It mainly depends on the situation you are in. Of course, if you are fighting for P6 in the championship and Max is a hundred points ahead, you might not fight as hard with him. But if a victory is in sight, I always go all out with whoever I am fighting with.”
