Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc will be left wondering if he could have done more after a promising but ultimately fruitless 2024 Formula 1 season.
After winning an emotional Monaco Grand Prix, Charles Leclerc looked like the strongest contender to challenge Max Verstappen for the Drivers’ Championship.
The Ferrari driver was just 31 points behind the Dutchman with Red Bull struggling to understand why they were no longer the dominant force on the grid.
Unfortunately, Ferrari delivered a big update to the car in Spain and unfortunately their performance took a nose dive.
It was four races until Leclerc was back on the podium in Spa – thanks to George Russell’s disqualification – and another two Grand Prix before Leclerc tasted victory again at Ferrari’s home race at Monza.
At that point, Leclerc was no longer in contention to catch Verstappen, but the Constructors’ Championship was still within reach.
He and teammate reduced the deficit to 21 points heading into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, but circumstances worked against them during the season finale.
David Coulthard hails ‘perfect’ Charles Leclerc after Abu Dhabi Grand Prix opening lap
Leclerc was forced to start the final race of the season from the back row of the grid after a mistake in qualifying and a 10-place grid penalty for installing a new energy store.
David Coulthard was commentating on the race for Channel 4 and witnessed one of the Monegasque driver’s greatest moment on his first tour of the Yas Marina Circuit.
Watching Leclerc’s start to the race, he went around the outside of turn 6, overtaking four cars and avoiding Sergio Perez’s collision with Valtteri Bottas in the process.
Looking at a replay, co-commentator James Hinchcliffe said: “Four positions just on the run down to turn 6!
“Absolutely carving his way through the field, position after position.
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“Eventually ran out of tyres and had to do the undercut on George Russell, but an unbelievable first stint from the Ferrari man.”
Coulthard replied: “Yep, he’s been definitely on form. Fired up by having to deal with that penalty and that pass as you mentioned down into six, well it’s the perfect display of fortune favouring the brave!”
Charles Leclerc knows winning Ferrari team battle against Lewis Hamilton could earn him the 2025 F1 title
Ferrari have improved significantly towards the end of the season and were on a par with McLaren depending on the circuit.
Losing ground in the middle of the season cost them the chance to win their first Constructors’ Championship since 2008, but they’ll be confident in their driver line-up going into next year.
Carlos Sainz was superb for Ferrari and his victories in Australia and Mexico City deserve a huge amount of credit.
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But, Lewis Hamilton’s arrival will likely give the whole team an added boost due to his reputation for being very particular – and typically correct – when deciding to switch teams.
Hamilton may have one worry about facing Leclerc given the form the 27-year-old is in.
If he can rediscover his best form – as his performances during the races in Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi highlighted he still possesses – and Ferrari keep developing, then the winner between Leclerc and Hamilton in their intra-team battle could end up being world champion.
