It is safe to say that Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen are the definition of new-age rivalry in F1. Always ready to go at each other wheel-to-wheel in any given condition, the duo has given the fans some intense battles that are a treat to watch. The rivalry was at its peak in 2022 when both drivers were favorites to win the championship.
While the Dutchman won the championship easily, the Monegasque gave him a run for his money till the time his F1-75 could match the mighty RB-18.
Leclerc and Verstappen have always been friends and foes on and off the track. Sharing beautiful friendship when they’re away from the racing circuit, and going back to being the stern rival when in the cockpit, the duo has known each other for decades.
It’s significant to go back to the days when Leclerc sought to fight with Verstappen long before the duo took on each other for the championship fight in the most elite league of motorsport.
Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc as rivals
The duo has been going at each other since they were 12 years old. Starting from that early in Go Karting and then fighting with the same intensity for the ultimate prize in motorsport is something surreal.
Being of the same age, Verstappen and Leclerc often were pitted against one another. Since both the drivers are immensely talented, there were times the pair gave the fans a clash of Titan’s scenarios.
This rivalry >>>>>>
We just need Ferrari to give Charles the car
Max Verstappen Vs Charles Leclerc 💉💉💉 pic.twitter.com/ERvB7xASmP— Christós🐉 (@Christos_16) June 19, 2023
But the Leclerc-Verstappen battle is nothing new as this all started around 9 years back before the 2022 title challenge. This was the time when he held the Dutch driver, a prolific man to fight against as per Charles-Leclerc-Fans(2013.)
When asked about his preferred rival in Karting, the 25-year-old revealed as per @F1tati on Twitter, “Max Verstappen, Ben Hanley, and all the great KZ drivers because it’s exceptional to fight with people like them who have a lot of experience.”
Leclerc vs Verstappen over the years
While the 2022 title fight might be popular for Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen, their 2012 WSK Euro Series II Round will always be a classic for the fans.
It was a Karting race where the duo went wheel-to-wheel, but in the end, Verstappen was unhappy as he felt Leclerc was “unfair to him.” On the other hand, the Monegasque believed this was a general on-track “inchident.”
All in all, both drivers know each other very well for a long time now, and hence they rarely crash or take each other out now. This can be seen in their fights in 2019 or even in the 2022 F1 season.
But in the end, it is unfortunate for the fans who love hard racing that Charles Leclerc will not be able to challenge Max Verstappen until and unless Ferrari makes their SF-23 at par with the mighty RB-19. Till then, no Leclerc vs Verstappen duel, unfortunately.
