Charles Leclerc said he is hoping to capitalise on the \u201clot to lose\u201d attitude that the top three may adopt in their close title fight.<\/p>\n
While the McLaren duo and Max Verstappen continue their title showdown, Leclerc became the latest driver to be mathematically eliminated from the running but hopes to use that freedom to his advantage.<\/p>\n
Charles Leclerc hoping to use F1 title fight to his advantage<\/p>\n
The Ferrari man is in a bit of a no man\u2019s land in the standings, with George Russell 60 points ahead and Lewis Hamilton 50 points back, but a podium in Austin suggested the Monegasque could be in for a successful end of the season.<\/p>\n
One advantage that Leclerc does have on his side is the ability to be more risky than the likes of Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris and Verstappen, given that none of the title runners can afford a DNF. Ahead of this weekend\u2019s race in Mexico City, Leclerc said that was a tactic he would look to exploit in the final races of the season.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the context is always important when you\u2019re fighting someone,\u201d he told PlanetF1.com and other media. \u201cYou are aware that in my case, there\u2019s not much to lose. In their cases, there\u2019s a lot to lose.<\/p>\n
More on Charles Leclerc from PlanetF1.com \u201cSo that gives a little bit of an advantage, but for us to use this advantage, I need to be on their pace and at the moment, it doesn\u2019t seem that we are on the pace of McLaren or Red Bull.<\/p>\n \u201cBut if we are, especially at the start [of the race], these three drivers will be a bit more cautious with me than they will be between them so that\u2019s a good thing to know.\u201d<\/p>\n Much of the talk going into the Mexican weekend has been on Verstappen\u2019s title charge which has seen him reduce the gap to 40 points. Asked about his verdict, Leclerc said if he had to bet, he would still go with one of the McLaren drivers.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m never surprised, I think Max is always driving at a very high level,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd considering Red Bull is probably the team that have pushed the developments more than other teams.<\/p>\n \u201cI think McLaren has stopped quite a while ago, we also stopped quite a while ago. Mercedes and Red Bull are the two teams that pushed for a bit longer so it\u2019s not a complete surprise.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll be very surprised if he manages to win the championship from where he is. He is always on top of things and always performing extremely well, but it\u2019s still 40 points and 40 points is significant.<\/p>\n \u201cSo if I had to bet $1, I probably would bet on the McLaren drivers but you can never rule out Max really.<\/p>\n \u201cWhich one [of the McLaren drivers] that\u2019s a difficult one. I mean, Oscar has been very, very strong this season and has been very solid.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you look at the last two, three races, it seems that Lando is coming back to a very, very strong form. So it\u2019s going to be close.\u201d<\/p>\n Additional reporting by Elizabeth Blackstock<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49\u00a0Charles Leclerc highlights \u2018out of proportion\u2019 Ferrari reaction<\/a>
\ud83d\udc49\u00a0Memo to Ferrari: Give Charles Leclerc a title-winning car \u2013 he\u2019s ready<\/a>
\ud83d\udc49\u00a0Charles Leclerc calls out \u2018completely unfounded\u2019 Ferrari rumours after Austin podium<\/a><\/p>\n