Charles Leclerc discusses the possibility of missing an F1 race as he prepares for the arrival of his first child.
Charles Leclerc has stated that he does not anticipate missing any of the remaining six Formula 1 races this season, even with the arrival of his first child just weeks away.
The Ferrari racer and his wife Alexandra are expecting their first baby after getting married in February. The expected due date coincides with a hectic conclusion to the F1 season.
There are six races left, including two sets of triple-headers. The United States Grand Prix will kick off the first triple-header this weekend, followed by the Mexican and Brazilian Grands Prix. Afterward, teams and drivers will have one weekend off before the final triple-header, which includes the Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix.
When asked during media day in Austin if he might miss a race, Leclerc mentioned that he would make every effort to be home between races, even if it meant arriving at the circuit later than usual.
"No, I don’t think I’ll miss a race," the Monegasque driver stated. "I don’t think I’ll miss a race, but obviously I’ll do absolutely everything to be at home as much as possible in between those races.
"So, I might arrive a little bit late. But I will be doing the races on Sunday."
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Leclerc arrived at the United States Grand Prix weekend positioned fifth in the drivers' standings with 215 points, 125 behind the championship leader Kimi Antonelli.
The 29-year-old anticipates a competitive field among the top four teams at the Circuit of the Americas.
"I expect a very close contest among the top four teams, that's for sure," Leclerc told Motorsport.com and other media outlets. "What we've observed recently is that even a minor upgrade can shift a team from fourth in this group to first, and Red Bull has demonstrated that effectively.
"I hope we can showcase that this weekend with a few upgrades we've brought. However, it's nothing major on paper that should alter the hierarchy we've seen in previous races. But yes, I firmly believe it will be very competitive, just as it has been in the last few races."
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