Leclerc’s Turning Point: How Sainz’s Singapore Victory Sparked a Focused Comeback

The F1 competition that significantly impacted Charles Leclerc in comparison to Carlos Sainz

"I believe this experience has sharpened his resolve, making him think: 'alright, it's crucial that I perform well on Sunday.'"

Ferrari's driving mentor, Jock Clear, is of the opinion that Carlos Sainz's victory in last year's Singapore Grand Prix significantly affected Charles Leclerc.

Sainz transformed his pole position into a triumph, marking the sole victory not achieved by Red Bull in 2023.

The Spanish driver executed a brilliant strategy at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, purposely keeping Lando Norris within DRS distance to block the pair of Mercedes trailing behind.

Leclerc, often outperforming Sainz in qualifying rounds, failed to take advantage of Red Bull's lackluster performance that weekend.

Since that time, aside from the Australian Grand Prix, it has primarily been Leclerc who has enjoyed the upper hand.

Clear is convinced that Singapore was a pivotal point for Leclerc.

"Clear mentioned on the Beyond the Grid podcast that he believes he has reacted positively to having a very competitive team member."

Discussions about Carlos's attributes have been ongoing, and it's apparent that Carlos might not possess the same level of speed during qualifying that Charles demonstrates. However, his performance in Singapore the previous year truly emphasized this point to Charles.

"Charles was highly expected to come out on top in that race. He usually arrives brimming with self-assurance, so for Carlos to snatch the victory right from him was a tough blow. This incident has likely sharpened his resolve, making him think, ‘all right, it's crucial I seal the deal come Sunday.’"

This doesn't imply he never considered that perspective, but rather suggests a shift in emphasis. Instead of concentrating solely on developing the optimal car for qualifying and focusing on securing a pole position, the approach shifts towards a broader strategy that encompasses the entire race weekend, particularly the race day on Sunday.

"I believe what you're witnessing is an improved portrayal of Charles, and of our identity as a race driver, a racing vehicle, and a racing team."

Clear swiftly highlighted that discussions concerning Leclerc's inadequate race strategies and his ability to maintain tyre condition are no longer relevant.

Clear mentioned, "A couple of years back, folks would often remark, ‘sure, but his performance during the races doesn’t quite measure up to his qualifying prowess’,” He continued, “That’s not entirely just. The truth is, he excels exceptionally in qualifying.

"However, it must be noted that this year has witnessed the outcome of advancements both in terms of the vehicle and the driver. It's likely accurate to say that our attention has been somewhat redirected towards enhancing the car's performance in races."

Tire strategy consistently generates considerable discussion. It's not as though Charles has traditionally struggled with tire performance. Rather, it appears that our collective approach to tire management hasn't been as sharp.

"This year's performance is attributed to our increased emphasis on optimizing the car's race performance and tire maintenance, alongside Charles' growth in managing tyres effectively, drawing lessons from past seasons."

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