This weekend, the Italian Grand Prix at Monza brings a wave of excitement and hope for Ferrari, but according to Charles Leclerc, a home victory might still be out of reach. As the last Ferrari driver to win at Monza back in 2019, Leclerc understands the significance of the race, but he remains realistic about the team’s current chances.
Leclerc emphasized that while Ferrari feels motivated by the home crowd and the history of the race, they are not necessarily under extra pressure to outperform other teams. “I wouldn’t say the feeling is that we must do better. However, there’s definitely a huge motivation,” Leclerc said. The atmosphere around the team starts buzzing from Monday in Maranello, where passionate fans, known as tifosi, show their support. This energy fuels the team, making the Italian Grand Prix special for everyone involved.
Despite recent positive results, with Leclerc finishing third in the last two races, he remains cautious about their chances of winning at Monza. “I don’t let the last two races change our expectations. We are in a difficult moment for the team. We are struggling a little bit with pace at the moment,” Leclerc admitted.
He believes that while Ferrari may be more competitive this weekend, a win is likely out of reach. “Here, it should be a bit more in the direction of Spa, so hopefully we’ll be a bit more in the fight for the podium. However, for the win, I don’t think we quite have that yet,” he said.
Monza’s track has seen significant changes, including a complete resurfacing for the first time since 1922 and the installation of new kerbs. While some drivers, like Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo, feel that the track has lost some of its character, Leclerc is reserving judgment until he experiences it firsthand.
As Ferrari gears up for their home race, fans can expect the team to push hard, but with a realistic approach to what they can achieve this weekend.
