No, Charles Leclerc is not trying to be the coolest man in Formula One, but he is trying to match Kimi Raikkonen in a more significant way.
The Ice Man was behind the wheel the last time the Prancing Horse claimed a world championship and, for the first time in a long time, it looks like Leclerc might be in with a fighting chance of ending their title drought.
After four races, Leclerc leads the current championship standings – just as Raikkonen did at the same stage in 2007.
Raikkonen’s lead was slight, one point to be precise, after a season-opening victory in Australia, two third-place finishes in Malaysia and Bahrain and a retirement in Barcelona.
Leclerc echoed Raikkonen’s start to the season in that he too claimed an opening weekend race victory (Bahrain). The Monegasque has fared better than the Finn in that he finished second in Saudi Arabia and then picked up a second race victory in Australia before a disappointing sixth-place finish at Ferrari’s home race at Imola.
Leclerc’s run of results has afforded him a healthier lead in the championship standings, but that has as much to do with Max Verstappen’s two retirements than it does with Leclerc’s driving or Ferrari’s pace.
Kimi went on to claim the 2007 title by just one point and Leclerc and Ferrari will be hoping that by the end of the season they would have done enough to end the 14-year heartbreak that the Tifosi have had to endure.
The next challenge for Leclerc and Ferrari is the inaugural Miami Grand Prix and they will be hoping to right the disappointment of Imola at the Miami International Autodrome.
BROADCAST DETAILS
Friday, 6 May
FP1 | 20:00 | SS Motorsport
FP2 | 23:15 | SS Motorsport
Saturday, 7 May
FP3 | 18:45| SS Motorsport
Qualifying | 21:50| SS Motorsport
Sunday, 8 May
Race | 21:25 | SS Motorsport
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