Patient Leclerc 'ready to wait' for Ferrari resurgence

Charles Leclerc knows Ferrari has a long road ahead before it returns to the winners' circle, but the Monegasque is "ready to wait" but also help speed up his team's recovery if possible.

The Scuderia is suffered from a depressed level of performance practically since the start of the 2020 season although its results have gone from bad to worse lately, with both Leclerc and teammate Sebastian Vettel failing to finish in the top ten at Spa last week.

There is no sugar-coating the House of Maranello's quandary, which could last "many years" years according to team boss Mattia Binotto who is asking the team's fans for patience.

• Ferrari pleads for 'patience' - warns turnaround could take years!

But Leclerc, who is contracted to Ferrari until the end of the 2024 season, will also have to take it on the chin and sit tight.

"Well, on one hand, I don't really have a choice," the 22-year-old admitted, speaking to the media at Monza on Thursday.

"But yeah, surely it will take some patience and yes, I'm ready to wait.

"But it's also my job to try and make this whole process as short as possible and for us to come back where we deserve to be.

"So, it's not going to be easy. It will take time, but I'm ready for this. And my job is to give my best anyway in in every situation we are in."

Leclerc's immediate focus is on improving the performance of Ferrari's SF1000 package, although progress is limited by the F1's restrictions on development. But last years' Italian Grand Prix winner is also attentive to his team's efforts for 2022, when F1 ushers in entirely new regulations.

"Surely there's a bit of both in my head, but I think the most important for now is try to work out why we are struggling so much this year," he said. "This will help the future anyway.

"So, I'm trying to work as hard as possible, like everyone does in the team to try and find the issues and have a solid basis for the for the years to come."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter