Leclerc fends off Russell for third successive Ferrari podium

Charles Leclerc fended off a late George Russell challenge to secure Ferrari’s third successive grand prix podium at the Japanese Grand Prix.

It has been a strong start to the season for the legendary Scuderia, Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton on the podium in Australia and China respectively.

And Leclerc made it a hat-trick of third placed finishes at Suzuka, although he had to work hard to fend off the advances of Russell’s Mercedes right to the chequered flag.

Having fought his way from fourth on the grid to second place at the start, the Monegasque found himself out of kilter with the majority of the pack under the Safety Car, having pitted laps earlier like Russell.

Charles Leclerc in action during the Japanese GP – Credit SPACESUIT MEDIA

It left him unable to match the pace of race winner Kimi Antonelli and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and in a gripping battle with Russell up to the chequered flag.

“We really had to work hard this time,” commented Piastri on the official Ferrari website.

“We were a bit unlucky with the Safety Car, so I found myself having to chase the cars ahead. On the first few laps after the pit stop, I lost a few positions, but in the end stopping earlier wasn’t a big disadvantage.

A solid P3 for Leclerc at Suzuka! 🎡

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I had to be very careful and manage the tyres well to make it to the end.

“The race was good, I just lacked a bit of pace to catch Oscar (Piastri), but it was still a positive race, and with good energy management, I could defend the podium from George (Russell)’s attacks and bring home good points for the team.”

Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc shake hands after the Japanese GP – Credit SPACESUIT MEDIA

For teammate Hamilton, the race didn’t work out as hoped, the seven-time camp losing places at the start and not having the pace in the car to finish higher than sixth.

It all means that Ferrari still maintains a strong second place in the constructors’ championship after three races, 45 points behind leaders Mercedes but 44 ahead of third placed McLaren.

With the abandonment of the Bahrain and Saudia Arabi GPS, there is now a gap before the Miami Grand Prix on 3 May.

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