F1 Pre Race Drivers Press Conference Belgian Grand Prix 2026 PART 2

Welcome back to Spa-Francorchamps for Group 2 of our Drivers Press Conference. Joining us left to right, we have Charles Leclerc, Kimi Antonelli and Liam Lawson. Very warm welcome to you all. Charles, why don't we start with you please? Congratulations once again on the win at Silverstone last time out. Just how much confidence does your success there give you coming to Spa? I mean, it feels good and this I cannot hide. And obviously after the previous races where I was struggling with the car and trying to find the feeling with the car, it feels good to see that the work pays off. At the same time, as I said, it was only on one track and now I want to reproduce that on different tracks. So yeah, it felt good. But then in terms of confidence, I'm always confident that if I do a good job inside the car, then the results come. And if I feel confident with the car and just at ease with the car, then the results will follow. But for that, I need to work. So it's what I've been trying to do in the past few days to try and understand first why we were much better than what we expected in Silverstone in order to try and reproduce that more often in the future. Do you understand after the work you've put in on the simulator? Yeah, I mean, definitely on my side why I felt more comfortable. I already knew in Silverstone what I had changed and what made me feel more comfortable. In terms of overall performance, there are still, I think, some things that we need to dig into more. And I think for us to understand them fully, we need a few more laps to try some things. But yeah, it was still quite a surprising result for us in Silverstone. And in terms of the pecking order, who do you think comes into Spa as favourites? Is it Ferrari or is it the man on your left? No, I mean, my position is the same one as I had before Silverstone. For me, Silverstone and Spa are two tracks that will suit a lot better Mercedes. However, in Silverstone, I mean, it was honestly a surprise for us also to be strong. But we were also lucky on the Sunday because Kimi was probably as strong as what we expected. So yeah, I think in Spa, Mercedes is still the favourite. Final one from me. You've been busy since the British Grand Prix. You've been in Spain, done some laps of the Madrid. Can you just give us your thoughts on the track? What did you make of it? Well, I mean, I did some laps behind Estalvio or whatever that car was. But the track was, I mean, obviously it was in the middle. There's still so much work. So there was so much dirt on the track. But it looks like a cool track. And I love city tracks. So it felt like a very challenging city track, which it has all the characteristics that I like. So I cannot wait to be trying it properly once we go there for the race weekend. Does it have a nice flow? Yeah, it does. But again, with the dirt that was on track, it's not like I could push flat out. So yeah, it's difficult to comment on that. But it looks like a cool track. Michel, thank you very much for that. Kimi, let's come to you now. Can we throw it back to Silverstone, first of all? You had a lot of pace, but it turned into, obviously, a frustrating Sunday. What positives do you take from that weekend? I mean, it was a very strong weekend overall. So that was the positive. We're up there in our recessions. And so that was a positive, you know, to see that the pace is good. The momentum is still there, despite a few difficulties that we had previously. So yeah, that's a real positive. And, you know, my side, I just need to deliver, you know, and just try to maximise all the things that I have in my control. Then the rest, you know, I cannot really do much about it, other than just try to drive as fast as I can and keep delivering in performances. And how much frustration is creeping in? Because two of the last three races now, you were on for big points, and it didn't happen for circumstances outside of your control. Yeah, of course, it's very frustrating. But this is motorsport, so things like this happen. Of course, you know, I think now was enough. But, you know, it's part of the motorsport. As I said, these are external factors that you cannot really control. So, as I said, I just need to maximise every opportunity I get, try to maximise what I have in control, and then we'll see what the rest will be. But, you know, it's part of the sport, and the team, you know, they're doing a tremendous job to make sure that all these issues are not happening again. And tell us about your expectations for Spa this weekend. Charles thinks you guys are going to be quick. Yeah, I mean, our car has been quick every race, so for sure I'd expect us to be up there. But also Ferrari, they were very strong in Silverstone. It was a surprise, you know. But to be fair, we always kind of expected them to be up there, because especially when it comes to qualifying, they seem to find some extra time. So, definitely we think they can be up there this weekend. And then, of course, you can have a ride of Red Bull, McLaren, because they can always come out and be fast as well. So, yeah, just as always, just focus on myself. But, yeah, we're pretty confident that the package is going to be good, because it's been good all throughout this year. Okay, Kimi, thank you for that. And Liam, let's come to you. Can we start by talking about something non-F1 related? Because you drove Bruce McLaren's GT40 at Goodwood last weekend. You said your hands were shaking after the run. Can you explain why it was such an emotional moment for you? Yeah, it was pretty cool. Obviously, growing up in New Zealand, I mean, motorsport in New Zealand, and Formula 1 especially, there's a lot of history. So, yeah, it's been a long time since the success of those guys, obviously Bruce starting McLaren. And that car specifically is obviously what won that race. And obviously there's a pretty sick movie that's sort of about it. It's obviously more about the Ken Miles car, but obviously it's in the movie. And for me as a New Zealander growing up, learning about the history, working and having relationships, having mentors with people that were close or knew the families of Bruce, of Chris Amon, it was very, very cool. So, yeah, very special. Probably won't ever have a feeling like that again in a race car. Now, what about this year then? You're enjoying a tremendous run of form. You've scored in seven of the nine races so far. What pleases you most about the performances? Yeah, it's been very good. The car has been working very well. I think it's just the progression. It's probably the most satisfying part, just the fact that each sort of upgrade we're bringing or each area we're focusing on, we're managing to execute and find those gains that we're searching for. So, yeah, it's been really, really good. Obviously, it's motorsports. So, I mean, obviously, Kimi's gone through the last couple of weekends. Sometimes there's stuff that's going to happen that's out of your control. But right now, everything that's in my control, I'm trying to focus on and it's been bringing results, which has been great. And on a personal level, do you think you've taken a step forward this year? I think so, but I think that comes as well just with more experience. The more races you do, I think, compared to how I was when I came to Formula One, naturally, you learn, you get better. So, yeah, I think so. I've been very focused on trying to extract everything out of my own performance as well. So, on that side, I feel very good. All right, and there are upgrades this weekend. I think Alvi's got more than you, perhaps. But what are your hopes for this one? Do you think there's a double points finish is possible again? I hope so. Let's see. I think it's a track that should be reasonably similar to Silverstone. I think it was a good track for us. There's no reason why we shouldn't be strong. But, yeah, obviously, we have new parts on the car, obviously, more on Alvi's side. But let's see what they do. Hopefully, they work for us. All right. Thank you for that. Let's now bring in the broadcasters, first of all, please. Who's going first? Yeah. David A. David Croft, Sky Sports F1. It's a question for yourself, Kimmy. We all needed a rest after Silverstone. I'm sure you did as well. You found yourself sat in the Royal Box at Wimbledon, chilling out for a bit. Up pops Roger Federer for a chat. Not a bad thing for a 19-year-old championship leader to do, chatting to an experienced Grand Slam winner like that. Did you ask him for any advice on coping with pressure and being at the top of the game? Or if not, what could you learn from Roger Federer's game that could apply to you in your position? Yeah, I mean, it was great. It was my first time at Wimbledon. And, you know, in the past couple of years, I've gotten more and more into tennis, obviously also knowing Yannick. Then you start watching. And so it was a really cool experience. And also as well to be able to talk with Roger. It was great. He taught me a lot about the grass court and also from his previous experiences. And it was just great to chat with him about anything, to be fair. We chat about my races. We chat about when he used to play or also about his life in general. So it was great because I think he's also, other than an incredible athlete, an incredible person as well, very humble and very open as well. So it was great. And, yeah, about pressure, you know, it just taught me to really focus one race at a time. You know, just focus on what you can to control and, yeah, also to control the emotions, especially the ones that can make you do mistakes. So, of course, yeah, those were the main advices. But, yeah, other than that, it was an incredible experience to witness. Thank you, Camille. Next, please. Raphaël Sampt, Service TV. Question for Charles. Charles, the season is becoming more and more of an upgrade battle. Everyone's bringing new parts to the cars. Is there a concern from your side that this will cause some issues later on in the season regarding the budget cap? Well, on that, I trust Fred more than anything. Of course, I mean, there's a lot of work from the team to try and push production, to try and push the creative minds also behind the team that just pushes in order to have upgrades as quickly and as efficiently as possible. And I'm sure Fred is on top of that. So am I worried? I am not because I fully trust Fred. And I know that he knows what he's doing. So, yeah, you probably should ask the question to Fred more than me. Thank you, Charles. Next. Alessa Naujox, RTL Germany. Question to Charles. Charles, you won your first ever race here in Spa. So what does that track mean to you and does it give you a special feeling coming back here? Yeah, it's a very, very special track. I think it's a track that we all enjoy as drivers. And surely, I think I feel always special to come back here. I think for two reasons. One, obviously, for my first win, which is a moment you never forget. But it's also where I've lost a friend of mine, Antoine. And so whenever I come back here, he's always somewhere in my mind. So, yeah, for these two reasons, there's always a particular and special feeling coming here. But it's a track I really enjoy. I'm looking forward to try it. I think in Silverstone, obviously, with those new cars, we were all very sceptical about how it will feel like. And I think I kind of carry a little bit that feeling on a track like this, hoping that it will be as exciting as it used to be. But it was much better than what I expected in Silverstone. So I hope it will still remain an iconic track, even with this new generation of cars. Thank you, Joel. Next. Roldan Rodriguez from Daston, Spain. A question to Charles. A little bit more about MadRing. Spafran Corcham has his Urus. Silverstone has his Beckett Maggots. Do you feel like La Monumental, the camber corner, has the soul to become a special corner? And also about the layout, do you feel like it's going to fit well with your style? Yeah, I mean, La Monumental, it's called. Yeah, it's a very, very special corner. It's a corner where I feel in qualifying, we'll have to, I won't say it in a polite way, but we'll have to be very brave because it's going to be on the limit. And so that's going to be really cool, I think. It's going to be a really cool corner. And yes, I do believe it can become one of the most iconic corner of the season, especially once the grandstand will be built. And I think that will add also to the experience of that corner. Can it fit my driving style? I mean, I like city tracks in general, so I have little doubt I'll love MadRing. And whether it will fit me or not, I don't really know. But one thing for sure is that you will have to go full commitment. And I always enjoy it in city tracks. Michel, how different is that bank corner to the final corner at Zandvoort? Well, the final corner in Zandvoort is actually flat out, but maybe turn three in Zandvoort is really cool as well. It's slower, though. But in MadRing it doesn't look flat, as of now at least. I mean, I was very, very far from being flat during testing, mostly because of the dust that was on track. But yeah, it's just a very, very cool corner. And I can only imagine the way it will be during the race weekend. And it will be very much on the limit. Thank you. Next, please. Marat San Giorgio, SkySport F1 Italy. A question for all three of you. After so many races and considering the understanding of everything, is it still right, in your opinion, to maintain the five-second pre-start procedure? Who'd like to start with that? I mean, I would be happy to shorten it a little bit. But I don't think Kimi will agree on that. I'm happy to stick with it, yeah. I don't really mind, to be honest. But no, no, I mean, yeah, jokes aside, I think we'll have to keep it with these cars, just because it's physical. The limitations are always going to be there and we still need this lead time before being all of us ready. Some will want them to be a bit shorter. Some others will want it to be a bit longer or the same. But, yeah, some lead time we will always need, I think, with these cars. All right. Thank you. Next. Andi Gruber, ServusTV. A question to Kimi. Kimi, you're leading the championship and you've done for quite some time. We're into weekend number 10, which could easily be halfway point of the season. Now, looking back to the first half, this is usually when kids in school get their first certificate. Would you rate your own season as a 10 out of 10, being the humble and self-reflective driver we've gotten to know you? And if not 10 out of 10, why? No, I wouldn't say 10 out of 10. You know, for a few reasons. First one, Australia, FP3. That was not good, because then we were almost misqualifying. But then we couldn't set up the car properly and stuff like that. So I just compromised at the end of the weekend. Then I would say Japan. Yes, I did win in Japan, but I had a really bad start. And obviously we extended the stint, and then we were lucky with the safety car. And then I would say the reason one, yeah, I mean, Miami sprint race, track limits, Barcelona qualifying mainly, Spielberg qualifying, so there's a few things. So I would say 8.5 out of 10. Thank you, Kimi. Next. Another numbers one for Kimi Kriegsleiter, Sky Sports. George said, after Silverstone, he thought 25 points was more or less fair, based on the bad luck he'd had, and maybe you having a bit of bad luck. Do you agree, Kimi? And despite the bad luck, do you think you're driving as well, if not better than when you were winning the five races in a row? I mean, it's really hard to judge, because, yes, he's had this bad luck, for sure. Monroe was one of them. Of course, we wouldn't have known how the race would have ended, because we were both neck to neck, and impossible to know. But for sure, yeah, he was very lucky, because at that point he was leading the race, and he had to stop. Then for sure, there were a couple of other times that he was a bit unlucky. Yeah, I mean, in my case, we were going towards a result that was almost certain. I mean, Barcelona was P2. Silverstone, we cannot know, because I didn't have a shot, but I think we'd have been at fight for it. So, for sure, we know those would have been certain points. So, yeah, I have to say, both of us had bad luck. One of us had it in more critical moments at times, but, as I said, it's the way it is. This is how motorsport goes, and we all know that, and we could see ourselves, how this can shift very quickly. As a team, definitely reliability has not been our strongest point, and we've realized ourselves that this is something that we need to keep working on, because, yeah, for example, Ferrari seems very strong on that side, so we just need to make sure, and I know the team is working super hard to make sure that these things don't happen, but I think if I look back after this first week 10, if we look at me and George, we, combining, we lost lots of points, and then if you look at the constructors' championship balance, it's definitely a big hit, but, you know, as I said, us drivers, in this case me and George, we just try to do our best, and we try to make sure we use every opportunity we get.