- Seven-time F1 world champion favourite to retain title
- ‘When I put the helmet on, every driver is the same,’ Leclerc said
The Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz insisted on Friday they have no fear of taking on the seven-times Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton. The Briton goes into the season as strong favourite to retain the title and at 36 is an elder statesmen on the grid but, while his younger rivals said they respected his achievements, they claimed they are not intimidated by the Mercedes driver.
Leclerc, who is 23 and entering his fourth season in F1, was off the pace in his Ferrari last year but if the Scuderia can challenge, Hamilton’s record as the most successful driver in the sport does not overawe the Monégasque. “Whenever I put the helmet on every driver is the same,” he said.
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