Monza, Italy (AFP) — In his eight years at Ferrari, Charles Leclerc has established himself as a popular and talented Monegasque prince of the Formula One grid, yet being crowned his sport’s king remains just a dream.

The 28-year-old said in an interview in August that it “is still possible” for him to become world champion in 2027, although it will be “surely a difficult goal to achieve.”

He has flashed his talent again this season, winning at Silverstone and stepping onto the podium after three other races.

Yet, ahead of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, a race he has won twice, he sits fifth in the drivers’ standings, 87 points behind leader Kimi Antonelli and also trailing teammate Lewis Hamilton.

Ferrari signed Leclerc, fresh from an impressive rookie F1 campaign with Sauber, ahead of the 2019 season.

He has since racked up nine victories, including one on home soil in Monaco and two at Monza and finished a distant second behind Max Verstappen in the 2022 world championship and third in 2024.

In June, Leclerc signed a contract extension with Ferrari until the end of 2028.

At the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort in August, he talked about his love for the team.

“I’ve changed a lot, because through experiences — good and bad — you mature enormously as a driver and as a person,” said the recently married Leclerc, who is smiling but often reserved in front of the press, in contrast to his aggressive approach on the track.

“I grew up in Italy with karting and absorbed a lot of Italian passion and emotion. But over the years, I’ve managed to handle those emotions better when things are going very well or very badly,” says Leclerc, who recently admitted to being affected by what he calls “negative stories” surrounding his inconsistent performances.

Ferrari frustration

Leclerc’s inability to turn pace and potential into domination mirrors the frustrating recent history of the Scuderia.

“The passion within Ferrari is an incredible force, and when things aren’t going as they should, we work tirelessly to turn the tide,” Leclerc said.

“But it can hurt, too. When things aren’t going well, people feel it very deeply.”

He says the arrival of Frenchman Fred Vasseur as team principal ahead of the 2023 season improved Ferrari’s team culture.

“Fred has really brought that calm, that cool-headedness needed to make the environment less prone to emotional outbursts,” Leclerc said.

This weekend, Leclerc said he expects to be swept up by the “immense enthusiasm” that grips the tifosi, the Monza circuit and nearby Milan the week before the Grand Prix.

“My love for Ferrari and for this sport is the same as it was on the very first day,” Leclerc said.