Charles Leclerc praised the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team for making “more progress than expected” in the first half of the season.
Leclerc could not improve on his pre-race championship standing of fifteenth due to a first lap retirement at the Hungarian Grand Prix, his second premature finish in the last three races.
The Monégasque driver explained the cause of his retirement, saying that he was sandwiched between both Sahara Force India F1 Team cars of Sergio Pérez and Esteban Ocon on the exit of Turn 1, describing the outcome as an “unfortunate” way to head into the summer break.
“It is a bit unfortunate to finish the last race before the summer break like this,” bemoaned Leclerc.
“Shortly after the start, I got stuck between two other cars which caused damage to my car. I had to retire from the race as a consequence.”
However, the 20-year-old turned his attentions to a “positive” start to his Formula 1 career and Alfa Romeo/Ferrari‘s partnership with Sauber – having scored 13 points in the first eleven races, leaving the Swiss team ninth in the Constructors’ Championship and contending for a place in Qualifying 3 most weekends.
The impressive run of performances have seen Leclerc linked with a promotion to his parent team, Scuderia Ferrari, or Sauber’s fellow Ferrari-affiliates, the Haas F1 Team, for 2019.
“On the other hand, the season has been positive so far,” he continued.
“We have made more progress than expected, and I have learned a lot and have scored some points. I look forward to my summer break now, and will use the time to relax and train for the second half of the season.”
