Verstappen and Leclerc reflect on ‘amazing’ journey from karting rivals to sharing success in F1

Verstappen and Leclerc look back on their ‘incredible’ journey from karting rivals to F1 success.

As the 2023 season draws to a close, Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc have taken time to reflect on how far they have come in motorsport, from their days competing on kart tracks to reaching the podium as F1 drivers.
Verstappen and Leclerc were bitter rivals in the karting world. Footage emerged on social media of the pair taking to the F1 grid to rekindle their rivalry following the incident. Verstappen has claimed more than 50 F1 wins and three world drivers’ titles to date, while Leclerc has taken poles, podiums and race wins for Ferrari.

Verstappen and Leclerc have moved from kart racing to wheel-to-wheel racing in Formula 1.

After Leclerc took pole at the final round of the season in Las Vegas, Verstappen said: “I always thought that if I could make it to F1, Charles would make it too. I think I can tell from a young age who the really strong drivers were back then and they are still in F1.
“It was never a surprise to me that Charles was here. Of course you need something after that.