Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): This is how the Mercedes/Formula 1 fight will play out

World champion Max Verstappen was once again in his class in Las Vegas and took his 53rd GP win. Behind them, spectators were treated to a great battle between Sergio Pérez and Charles Leclerc, with the Ferrari driver grabbing second place shortly before the end with a spectacular attack by the Mexican.

Buoyed by Ferrari’s strong weekend in the glittering city, Leclerc wants to make it two goals at the World Cup final in Abu Dhabi. “We are only four points behind Mercedes in the constructors’ cup, so obviously we want to win this position.” The curve of the shape speaks for the Italians.

26-year-old Monegasse Leclerc in Abu Dhabi: “At the moment we are driving well, but we can talk day and night about the form curves, the truth is – everything has to be right for us if we want to catch Mercedes before the finish line. Everything should match.

Who will be fastest at the Yas Marina Circuit, Ferrari or Mercedes? Charles believes: “It depends on the details. I think the deciding factor in the end will be who makes the most of the opportunities.

In the driver’s standings, Charles Leclerc can no longer be pushed from seventh place, but mathematically he can still rise to fourth place.

Carlos Sainz is currently fourth in the World Championship with 200 points, Fernando Alonso, fifth in the World Championship, has the same points (but Carlos is ahead thanks to his win in Singapore), followed by McLaren driver Lando Norris in sixth place. with 195 points, followed by Leclerc 188 points in 7th place.

Racing, Las Vegas

01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:29:08,289 h
02. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +2,070 sec
03. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Bull Red Racing, +2,241
04. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +18,665
05. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +20,067
06. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, +20,834
07. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, +21,755
08. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, +23,091
09. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, +24,964
10. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, +29.496
11. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, +34,270
12. Alex Albon (T), Williams, +43,398
13. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +44.825
14. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), AlphaTauri, +38.525
15. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Alfa Romeo, +50,162
16. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, +50,882
17. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Alfa Romeo, +1:24,350 minutes
outside
Yuki Tsunoda (J), AlphaTauri, gearbox defect
Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, car damage
Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, crash

World Championship Standings (after 21 of 22 Grand Prix)

the driver
01. Verstappen 549 points
02. Perez 273
03. Hamilton 232
04. Sainz 200
05. Alonso 200
06. Norris 195
07. Leclerc 188
08. Russell 160
09. Plate 89
10. Walk 73
11. Gas 62
12. Ocon 58
13. Albon 27
14. Tsunoda 13
15. Bota 10
16. Hulkenberg 9
17. Ricciardo 6
18. Zhou 6
19. Magnussen 3
20. Lawson 2
21. 1 Sergeant
22. De Vries 0

Builders Cup
01. Red Bull Racing 822 Punkte
02. Mercedes 392
03. Ferrari 388
04. McLaren 284
05. Aston Martin 273
06. Alpine 120
07. Williams 28
08. AlphaTauri 21
09. Alfa Romeo 16
10. Haas 12