SAO PAULO (AP) — Charles Leclerc was all smiles at a news conference ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix, where a good result could get him closer to fourth place in the drivers’ standings. His happiness, though, had more to do with developments off the track: he just got engaged.
Leclerc will marry his long-time partner Alexandra Saint Mleux.
“I’m very, very happy, obviously. It is a special week, full of emotions,” Leclerc said Thursday. “It’s obviously a very special moment for anyone to do that step. And, yeah, Alex and I are incredibly happy.”
The season itself hasn’t given Leclerc as many reasons to celebrate. The Ferrari driver entered the year hoping to contend for the title, but with four races left he only has fourth place left to fight for.
He is currently fifth, 54 points behind Mercedes driver George Russell.
Leclerc, who finished a career-best second in the 2022 season, arrives at the iconic Interlagos racetrack on a good run after finishing second at the United States Gran Prix in Austin and in third place in Mexico City last weekend.
“The momentum is with us. We’ve had good last few races, which is a good thing, but we cannot really rely on the past for the future,” Leclerc said. “It’s all about starting from zero again.”
Ferrari also holds a one-point lead over Mercedes for second place in the constructors’ championship, where McLaren has already secured the top spot.
“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,” Leclerc added. “And then we’ll see where we end up.”
Leclerc’s best finish at Interlagos is fourth place in 2022. He came fifth in 2021 and 2024, and seventh in 2018.
“I hope that is finally the weekend where I get back on the podium here in Brazil,” he said.
Bortoleto to make home debut
A year ago, Gabriel Bortoleto watched the Brazilian GP from the outside as a McLaren academy driver. Now the Kick Sauber rookie will take part in his home race for the first time.
The 21-year-old Bortoleto will become the first Brazilian F1 driver racing at Interlagos since Felipe Massa in 2017.
“I want to feel how it is, Interlagos and everything. But I don’t see it pressure-wise. I don’t need to perform better or worse because I’m in Brazil. It’s the same thing. I’m going to do my job,” Bortoleto said. “I’m happy that my family is going to be around, and a lot of Brazilian fans, and that’s for sure bringing a lot of good energy for me.”
Even though Bortoleto was born in Osasco, a city in the state of Sao Paulo located less than 20 miles from the racetrack, he does not view it as having a home advantage.
“It’s a track I’ve not been to so many times in the past. I’ve driven here once, but four years ago with a GT car. So, I don’t know the track very much,” Bortoleto said. “But I am very excited about driving here in front of the Brazilian crowd.”
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AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
The Associated Press
