Newly-crowned GP3 champion Charles Leclerc says that winning the title is a ‘relief’ after a dramatic final feature race of the season in Abu Dhabi.
Leclerc had known that he had won the title after championship rival Alex Albon crashed out of the race following a collision with Arden International’s Jack Aitken, but he also retired after an optimistic move to pass DAMS’ Santino Ferrucci to fight for a podium place.
It was his third retirement of the season, leaving him on 202 points in the championship, 25 clear of Albon with 17 remaining for the win and fastest lap in the final sprint race of the season.
The Monegasque seemed to have slightly calmed his thoughts over Ferrucci’s driving on track after initially branding Ferrucci as ‘stupid’ after the race.
“I would have never taken that risk had Alex still been in the race,” he said.
“But since I knew I was already champion I decided to go for it. Ferrucci didn’t really leave me enough space on the outside which I don’t really understand, to be honest, but it’s what it is.
“We finished in the wall which is a shame, but we have achieved the most important thing today: we grabbed the title.”
Leclerc said that the season was a stressful one because he had the target to impress the Ferrari Driver Academy. Not only did he beat his fellow academy drivers, Trident’s Antonio Fuoco and Giuliano Alesi, but he said that he wanted to maintain the names of Ferrari, and ART, as quality teams.
“I had a lot of pressure on my shoulders because of the surroundings. It was my first year in FDA and I wanted to deliver because people expect the best from Ferrari and I need to be at the top. As for ART, they are the best team in GP3 so I had to do the job.”
He also praised the ART team for helping him achieve his goal and assist in his development as a racer at the start of his career in the Formula One paddock.
“I had three other teammates who are really, really fast. It’s been a hard year and I did feel the pressure so I’m very pleased to have won the series in these conditions. It’s such a relief for me and the team. We’ve worked so hard for this result. They made me grow a lot as a driver as well.
“Now I know I can handle the pressure. I didn’t know that before coming to GP3 because I had never had pressure before. It has been an amazing season.”
Leclerc is still aiming highly for future seasons, declaring that he wants to triumph in GP2 when he makes the step up next season.
“It should be announced shortly. What I want is to win the series. As for what I expect, well maybe I will answer to this question after the three days of testing next week.”
