Charles Leclerc - The African Mirror

Nov

2023

Verstappen finishes dominant season in record style

RED Bull's triple world champion Max Verstappen wrapped up Formula One's most dominant season with a record-extending 19th win in 22 races at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The pole-to-flag victory, for the fourth year in a row under the Yas Marina floodlights, left the 26-year-old alone in third place in Formula One's all-time list of winners with a career 54. Only seven times champions Lewis Hamilton (103) and Michael Schumacher (91) have won more. Sergio Perez finished second on the road for Red Bull but a five-second post-race penalty dropped the Mexican off the podium, behind Ferrari's Charles…

Mar

2023

By The African Mirror

Formula One statistics for the Australian Grand Prix

MOTORSPORT

FORMULA One statistics for Sunday's Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, the third round of the 23-race season:Lap distance: 5.278km. Total distance: 306.124km (58 laps)2022 pole position: Charles Leclerc (Monaco) Ferrari, one minute 17.868 seconds.2022 winner: LeclercRace lap record: Leclerc (2022) 1:20.260Start time: 0500 GMT (1500 local) There was no grand prix at Albert Park in 2020 and 2021. The circuit was shortened by 28 metres, with two turns taken out and seven corners modified, for last year's race and is now considered a new layout from 2019. A fourth DRS zone has been added for this year. AUSTRALIAMcLaren rookie Oscar…

Mar

2023

By The African Mirror

Leclerc set for 10 place grid penalty in Saudi Arabia

SPORT

FERRARI'S Charles Leclerc is set for a 10-place grid penalty in Saudi Arabia this weekend for exceeding his allocation of power unit control electronics, team boss Fred Vasseur said. The Monegasque retired from the season-opening race in Bahrain on March 5 with a loss of power, a failure blamed on the control electronics that had already been replaced on Sunday morning. Drivers are allowed two control units to last the entire season. "Unfortunately, it was two times the control electronics box and it's something that we never experienced in the past," Vasseur told reporters ahead of Sunday's second race of…

Jul

2022

By The African Mirror

Ferrari must get on top of engine failures, says Leclerc

SPORT

CHARLES Leclerc expressed concern about Ferrari's engine reliability even as he celebrated returning to the top of the Formula One podium for the first time since April. The Monegasque's Austrian Grand Prix victory was his third in 11 races this season, lifting him to second in the championship but a hefty 38 points behind Red Bull's Max Verstappen. "I definitely needed that one. I mean, the last five races have been incredibly difficult for myself, but also for the team, obviously," he said. "It just felt like everything was against me. So, finally we had a breakthrough good race today…

Apr

2022

By The African Mirror

Leclerc wins Australian GP

SPORT

CHARLES Leclerc claimed his second win of the Formula One season for Ferrari with a pole-to-flag victory at the Australian Grand Prix on Sunday as Red Bull's world champion Max Verstappen suffered "deja vu" with another retirement. Leclerc's car showed impressive pace and performance on the upgraded Albert Park circuit to seal his fourth career win ahead of Red Bull's runnerup Sergio Perez, while third-placed George Russell grabbed his second podium and first for Mercedes in an encouraging day for the struggling constructors' champions. "What a race and what pace," said a thrilled Leclerc on the team radio, having finished…

Jul

2021

By The African Mirror

Hamilton chases 99th win at home Grand Prix

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO SILVERSTONE circuit provided an atmosphere like no other as North-London born Lewis Hamilton breathed life into the Formula one World Championship fight. After receiving a 10-second penalty at the start of the race a collision with pole-sitter Max Verstappen, Hamilton fought back resiliently, passing Charles Leclerc on lap 50. Leclerc had led every lap of the race after the restart following the incident between Hamilton and Verstappen on lap one. The second sector altercation between Verstappen and Hamilton triggered a red flag due to severe damage to the tyre barrier. Leclerc led off the line maintaining his lead…

Jul

2021

By The African Mirror

Sprint qualifying claims first victim

OTHER

FORMULA One’s newly revised sprint qualifying race provided late Saturday entertainment - to the benefit of pole-sitter Max Verstappen. The fiery Red Bull shot through a cannon off the start line to lead championship rival Lewis Hamilton into turn 1. The flying Dutchman retained position after a nervous first lap and will start the British Grand Pirx from the start of the grid. Verstappen’s teammate Perez, after being passed by Norris on lap one, spun out later in the race. Perez, a disappointed figure, earned the title of biggest loser from the inaugural event with the one of fastest cars…

Jun

2021

By The African Mirror

Ferrari goes from fast cars to haute fashion

BEAUTY AND FASHION

MPHO RANTAO FERRARI, a dominant force in the motorsport world, have made their entry into the cutthroat world of fashion. Showcased below the factory’s production level, with the V12 assembly line enveloped in a red glow, the “Prancing Horse” launched their first ready-to-wear collection from its Maranello factory in Italy. The collection was created in the classic Ferrari colour palette of Ferrari red, black and Scuderia yellow in light sustainable fabrics. Unlike the conversative and understated clothing pieces that Ferrari’s loyal (and older) fanbase would normally wear, this new collection includes trench coats, bomber jackets, parkas and loose-fitting trousers —…

May

2021

By The African Mirror

Leclerc grabs pole in Monaco

SPORT

BOITUMELO RANTAO FERRARI showed an injection of pace throughout preparations for Saturday’s three qualifying sessions - the results were overwhelming with Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc qualifying in pole position with his first run in the third session (Q3). Leclerc’s session took an unexpected turn preparing for the second run in Q3 as he clipped the barrier on the entry into turn 16. The driver stepped out of his car unharmed but the session was ultimately red flagged with less than a minute to go. The stunning turn of events left the vicious Red Bull of Max Verstappen, hunting for pole…

Jan

2021

By The African Mirror

Ferrari’s Leclerc isolating after positive COVID-19 test

SPORT

FERRARI Formula One driver Charles Leclerc has announced that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and was self-isolating at home in Monaco with mild symptoms. The 23-year-old said he was feeling okay. "I am regularly checked according to my team's protocols. Unfortunately, I learned that I have been in contact with a positive case and immediately went into self-isolation, notifying anyone I had contact with," he said on Instagram. "A subsequent test I took has come back positive," he added. "I will remain in isolation in my home in Monaco in compliance with the regulations set by the local health…