Leclerc: 'Super important' to maintain trust in Ferrari

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Charles Leclerc says his trust in Ferrari hasn't eroded despite several missteps by his team that have costed him big points this season.

A late call to pit last time out in the Belgian Grand Prix in a bid to seize a point for the fastest lap resulted in Leclerc missing the latter and losing a place in the final standings due to a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane during his final stop.

While it was a relatively minor miscue by the Scuderia, it was still another case of Ferrari struggling to achieve flawless execution, a deficiency that has cost the team and its drivers dearly at other races this year.

But Leclerc underscored the importance of keeping his trust in his crews and improving the team's processes.

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"We need to keep the trust in the team," Leclerc said. "I think this is super important, especially whenever you find more difficult moments.

"Overall as a team we are very united and I do fully trust the team. We always try to improve the process.

"On my side I always try to push to be better and better and that’s what we do. Whatever is said outside I try not to pay attention to it and try to focus on ourselves to get better."

There have been instances this season where both Leclerc and teammate Carlos Sainz have disputed Ferrari's in-race calls. At Spa, the former told his team over the radio it perhaps "shouldn't risk" the late pit stop.

But Leclerc stressed that Ferrari needs to work on making the right decisions together, rather than him being inclined to overrule his team in the heat of the moment.

"I think in this particular situation it’s not like it’s a call for a real pit-stop for the race, it’s more whether you go for the fastest lap or not, no?" he explained.

"In this type situation maybe but this is not where I want to get [involved]. As a team we just want to get better and take the right decision together."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.