Charles Leclerc challenged hard in Abu Dhabi but ultimately finished his season just off the podium in fourth after a spirited race where he came close to disrupting champion Lando Norris\u2019 chances of taking the title.<\/p>\n
A strong start at Yas Marina saw Leclerc overtake George Russell<\/a> to run in fourth, within DRS range of Norris ahead. With the McLaren man needing to finish on the podium to take the title, Leclerc\u2019s presence certainly caused some stress for the papaya team, but when his attempt at an undercut failed, Norris was able to pull away.<\/p>\n That left Leclerc<\/a> a somewhat lonely fourth for the rest of the race, despite brief periods here he was able to close down Norris \u2013 but never enough to get back within DRS range of his quarry. While fourth is a decent result, Leclerc was hoping for more not just from the race, but the season as a whole.<\/p>\n \u201cI gave it everything and our team executed the race perfectly. Unfortunately, P4 was all there was in it for us today,\u201d Leclerc said after the race.<\/p>\n \u201cI really wanted to finish the season on a high, bringing home a podium for everyone, and I was close to Lando in a few moments of the race, but it was not enough to make a pass.\u201d<\/p>\n Leclerc was unable to hide his \u201cdisappointment\u201d in a season that yielded no Grand Prix wins for Ferrari<\/a>, although Lewis Hamilton<\/a> did record one Sprint victory. Leclerc delivered one pole across the season, and seven podiums as he finished fifth in the Drivers\u2019 Championship<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI am very disappointed, very disappointed because in general once you are in the heat of the season, race after race, you try and keep your head high. You try and stay motivated, smile and think about the positives.<\/p>\n \u201cBut when the season ends, that\u2019s where the disappointment is getting to me on a season like that. And I just need a few weeks’ break, recharge the batteries and go again for next year. But it is the way it is, at least we finish on a slightly more positive note which is a good thing always.<\/p>\n \u201cBut the disappointment of the season is quite big.\u201d<\/p>\n