Leclerc Engaged & Eyes Brazilian GP Podium as Verstappen Fights for Title Hope
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São Paulo, Brazil – Charles Leclerc arrives at the Brazilian grand Prix with a spring in his step, fueled by both personal joy and a renewed focus on securing fourth place in the drivers’ championship. The Ferrari driver announced his engagement to long-time partner Alexandra Saint Mleux on Thursday, adding a heartwarming dimension to the high-stakes world of Formula 1.
“I’m very, very happy, obviously. It is a special week, full of emotions,” a beaming Leclerc told reporters. “It’s obviously a very special moment for anyone to do that step. And, yeah, Alex and I are incredibly happy.”
While the season hasn’t unfolded as hoped - Leclerc entered the year as a title contender – a strong finish is still within reach. Currently fifth in the standings, 54 points behind Mercedes’ George Russell, Leclerc is riding a wave of momentum after consecutive podium finishes in Austin (2nd) and Mexico City (3rd).
“The momentum is with us,” Leclerc acknowledged. “We’ve had good last few races, which is a good thing, but we cannot really rely on the past for the future.It’s all about starting from zero again.”
Ferrari also has a crucial battle on its hands, holding a narrow one-point lead over Mercedes in the constructors’ championship, with McLaren having already clinched the top spot. Leclerc emphasized a focused approach: “This weekend we are focusing step by step on what we can control and,try and make our processes the best,the most perfect possible.” He’s hoping to improve on previous Interlagos results – a best finish of fourth in 2022 – and finally return to the podium in Brazil.
Verstappen Refuses to Concede Title Fight
Simultaneously occurring, reigning champion Max verstappen isn’t ready to wave the white flag despite a 36-point deficit to McLaren’s Lando Norris. Norris holds a slim one-point advantage over teammate oscar Piastri.
“We just try to do everything we can until the end,” Verstappen stated.”It’s 36 points, still a decent gap.”
The Red Bull driver has demonstrated remarkable resilience, winning three of the last five races to claw his way back into contention. ”At one point when you are over 100 points behind, and we are still talking about being in this fight, that is very notable,” he added.
Verstappen boasts a strong track record at Interlagos, having secured victories in 2019, 2023, and most recently in 2024, showcasing his ability to overcome challenges – including a stunning recovery from 17th on the grid last year.
Piastri Dismisses Team Favoritism Claims
Amidst a recent dip in performance,Oscar Piastri has dismissed any suggestions of preferential treatment towards teammate Lando norris within McLaren. While Norris has surged to the championship lead with recent wins, Piastri finished fifth in the last two races.
“No, it’s not the case,” Piastri insisted. “I think the last couple of weekends have been a little bit trickier, but we’ve got answers. There are not too many mysteries.”
The Brazilian Grand Prix promises a thrilling weekend of racing, with drivers battling for championship positions and personal milestones. Qualifying begins [Date/Time] and the race is scheduled for [Date/Time].
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