Charles Leclerc

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Charles Leclerc is set to take engine penalties at the Belgian GP this weekend. As per reports, Ferrari has brought an overhauled and improved power unit at Spa-Francorchamps. If Leclerc takes on a new power unit, he would be required to take certain penalties which will make him start the race from the back of the grid.


This last-place start could deter his chances of competing with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen this weekend and put the Prancing Horse on the back foot at the start of the second half of the season after the summer break. Addressing the break, Leclerc expressed that it was much needed during the press conference on Thursday. 


"I needed it. The first half of the season has been full of highs and lows, so loads of emotions. There’s lots of accumulation of emotions, which leads to being tired. So, I was quite happy to go on holidays, and I used these three weeks as best as possible with my family and friends. It was just great."


Leclerc is 80 points behind the defending champion Max Verstappen in the championship. The Monegasque was asked about his game plan in the next few races as the Ferrari driver admitted that overtaking the gap will be difficult. He also added that he still hopes to push for a championship.


"Well, I think we will take it one by one, as a team. But, for sure, we have to maximise every opportunity that we have ahead, and I still believe in the championship. Of course, it’s going to be a very difficult challenge. But I will believe in it until the very end", Leclerc added.


Addressing the Belgian GP, Leclerc made it extremely clear about what is required from him or the teams entering Spa. He said, “It’s whoever puts the perfect weekend together because between Red Bull and ourselves, there is very little. Maybe sometimes we are a tiny bit stronger; sometimes they are a tiny bit stronger; now there is also Mercedes that are coming into the fight, which is nice. But in the end, the one who wins just puts a great weekend together, so that is where we’ll find the difference between the two teams, I think."