P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Charles Leclerc has claimed that Ferrari must take a 1-2 in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to have a chance of overhauling McLaren to win the F1 Constructors’ title.
Charles Leclerc’s second place in the Qatar Grand Prix last weekend helped Ferrari stay in the championship race by reducing the gap to McLaren to 21 points with one event remaining. Ferrari had expected to lose more ground to McLaren, but unexpected circumstances during the race, including a penalty for Lando Norris and a pit stop for Oscar Piastri, worked in their favor. Despite some setbacks, Ferrari managed to gain three net points on a weekend they anticipated to struggle. Looking ahead to the season finale in Abu Dhabi, Leclerc is confident that a 1-2 finish is necessary to turn the tide against McLaren, emphasizing the importance of winning the race. Leclerc is hopeful that the Abu Dhabi circuit’s characteristics will better suit Ferrari’s SF-24 compared to the challenging Qatar track. While aiming for a second-place finish in the Drivers’ Championship, Leclerc remains focused on supporting the team in the Constructors’ Championship battle.
