‘We hated each other’ – Charles Leclerc lifts lid on rivalry with Max Verstappen in karting days

Charles Leclerc admits he and Max Verstappen “hated each other” during their karting days. The pair appear the fastest two drivers on the grid after the opening three races, although two DNFs from Verstappen mean Leclerc is already 46 points clear of him in the drivers’ standings. Instead, Mercedes’ George Russell is currently second in the individual battle, 34 points adrift.

Ad/> Leclerc has won two races this season with Verstappen picking up his only points in his thrilling win in Saudi Arabia. The Dutchman would have been far closer to Leclerc had his Red Bull’s reliability not deserted him. Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix'I thought he was an Arsenal fan?' — Verstappen aims dig at Hamilton over Chelsea takeover bid14 HOURS AGO The Monegasque driver is predicting a tight battle in 2022 as he reflected on their early rivalry.

«It is going to be very close. It has always been very close,” he said. »In karting, it was either me or him and that's why we hated each other at one point because very often it didn't end in the best way possible." Verstappen got the better of Lewis Hamilton in the title battle last season after controversial final-lap drama in Abu Dhabi, with the pair’s rivalry littered with incident and ill-feeling throughout the season.

«In which parts we are stronger or not (as drivers), I don't know,» Leclerc said. «We just have two very different styles of driving. In some days one will win, in some the other will.

But I like it.» Leclerc will become the first Ferrari driver to lead the championship at Imola since Michael Schumacher in 2004. The Emilia Romagna Grand Prix takes centre-stage this weekend. «I am very excited,» said Leclerc.