### Leclerc Challenges Verstappen’s Championship Projections

Charles Leclerc has pushed back against Max Verstappen's assertion that he could have secured the 2024 Formula 1 world championship even sooner if he had been driving a McLaren or Ferrari. The Red Bull champion suggested this after clinching his latest title in Las Vegas, referencing the challenges his team has faced with the RB20 car following a dominant start to the season.

Max Verstappen claimed that with McLaren's MCL38, which has shown impressive performance since its significant overhaul in May for the Miami race, he could have won the championship with even more ease. He added that Ferrari would have offered a similar advantage, although he believed Mercedes would have presented more difficulty.

These remarks were brought to Leclerc's attention during a media session ahead of the Qatar Grand Prix, as Formula 1 prepares for the final two races of the 2024 season in the Middle East. Leclerc, currently trailing Lando Norris by 21 points in the drivers' standings, shared his views on Verstappen's comments.

Leclerc acknowledged Verstappen's exceptional driving skills and confidence yet questioned the feasibility of his claim. He pointed out the uncertainty surrounding the performance characteristics of different cars, adding that no driver, including Verstappen, could definitively state how they would fare in a car they haven't driven.

"As much as he is an incredible driver, it's a bit of a stretch to make such claims without firsthand knowledge of each car's performance," Leclerc stated.

Currently, both Ferrari and McLaren lead Red Bull in the constructors' championship standings, with Ferrari 24 points behind McLaren. The upcoming Qatar GP and the remaining races will ultimately determine the final standings in this fiercely competitive season.