Leclerc: Next four races ‘very important’ for F1 title hopes

Charles Leclerc says the next four races are “very important” to his championship ambitions in 2022.

As the calendar ticks into July, Formula 1 is preparing for two doubleheaders in just five weeks beginning this weekend at the British Grand Prix.

And Leclerc is eager to get his season back on track following two retirements in Spain and Baku, disappointment in Monaco and a recovery drive from P19 to P5 in Canada due to engine penalties.

“Obviously we’re not in the best situation with the last few races,” he said on Thursday. “We are always pushing to the limit, in the end, that’s what we need to do if we want to win this championship.

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“So on that, I’m pretty sure that the team will push 100%, I will push 100% and everybody is extremely motivated to have cleaner races and get the rhythm and get back the points that we’ve lost in the last few races.

“Overall, it’s been a tough time for the team but I think the way we have worked since the beginning of the season has been extremely good, so this we don’t have to change.”

Returning to the British Grand Prix does bring good vibes for Leclerc, who has finished on the podium in each of the past three years.

And asked about his championship chances, the Monegasque acknowledges he needs a big run of results.

“In the last four, five races, it became much more difficult,” Leclerc conceded. “But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

“I still believe in it as much as I believed five races ago. It’s going to be more difficult, but anything is possible.

“I think the next four races will be very important, just before the summer break; to go [into the] holidays with four good races would be great.

“Now we need to focus on ourselves. I think the performance is there, and if we’ve got clean weekends, I’m pretty sure the results will follow.

“But again, we just need to focus on ourselves and then the rest will come.”