Leclerc: Losing out to Sainz was 'a lesson learned'

Charles Leclerc says that being beaten in last year's F1 world championship by his Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz was a lesson learned, and a defeat from which he has moved on.

Sainz, who made his debut with the Scuderia in 2021 after a two-year stint with McLaren, adapted well to his new environment, outscoring Leclerc in the Drivers' standings, although by just 5.5 points.

In Leclerc 's defense, the Monegasque encountered more bad luck than he cares to remembers, starting with a transmission issue that prevented from starting the Monaco Grand Prix where he qualified on pole.

"There are some opportunities that I've lost, sometimes by not being lucky, some others because of myself just wanting too much," he said.

"I'm learning from it. I think one of the big strengths of Carlos is being here all the time. Every race, he's always there.

"Myself, I can sometimes be a bit too optimistic, and last year this happened a few times, and it cost me a few points. So in the end, I paid the price and learned the lesson.

"It hurts, but I go forward. Now it's [in the] past. It hurts in the moment, but when I look back on the season, I'm satisfied with myself."

Leclerc is therefore ready to start afresh and expects he'll be battling Sainz once again although the pair will be mindful of avoiding any wheel-to-wheel clashes.

"Of course we've discussed it, I think it was yesterday or two days ago," Leclerc said after the launch last week of Ferrari's new F1-75.

"Yes, we are free to fight, obviously without taking any stupid risks because we are fighting for the team, and the ultimate goal is to bring Ferrari to the top. But we'll be free to fight."

• Read also - Binotto: Race wins are Ferrari's 'clear ambition' for 2022

At the unveiling of Ferrari's new F1-75, team boss Mattia Binotto spoke of the Scuderia's "clear ambitions" for 2022 which include returning the team to the winner's circle. But Leclerc is aiming for the next level.

"Winning the World Championship, that’s what we are here for," he said. "We have an opportunity to try to win on every track.

"I really like this new Ferrari, it’s really beautiful. We are the bravest concept seeing the cars already presented.

"After the work done at Maranello, to be able to admire the final design is exciting."

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