Charles Leclerc makes unusual F1 title showdown claim: 'Most exciting part of my race'

Charles Leclerc has revealed how he was "doing the maths in my head" about the F1 title race during his otherwise "boring" Qatar GP.

Leclerc was eighth on a difficult weekend for Ferrari, with most of the attention centred on McLaren's huge strategic blunder not to pit under the early safety car, gifting Max Verstappen a crucial win to set up a titanic three-way showdown in Abu Dhabi. 

The points heading to Yas Marina have Lando Norris on 408, Max Verstappen 12 behind on 396 and Oscar Piastri in third on 392. If Norris finishes on the podium, he will be world champion, with Verstappen requiring at minimum P3 whilst Piastri's route is considerably harder, and requires a win or second-place to have any chance.

It is F1's first three-way showdown since 2010, when four drivers took to Abu Dhabi, with the third-placed driver heading in, Sebastian Vettel stealing the crown from leader Fernando Alonso. 

Leclerc has not been a contender for the world championship since 2022, and as he explained his longing to be involved in a battle, the Monegasque detailed how doing the mental maths during the race enlivened an otherwise "boring" evening.

"It is a tough one, and anything can happen when it is that few points in-between," Leclerc observed when asked by RacingNews365 for his thoughts on the title finale.

"It's probably going to be between Lando and Max, but anything can happen, especially with the tension that there will be, and incidents can play a huge part in it, and they're all fighting for positions.

"It was a very boring weekend for me, but I could follow on the screen a little bit [of the race], and was trying to do the maths in my head.

"That was the most exciting part of my race, apart from that, it was very boring, and I hope we have an exciting last race in Abu Dhabi. 

"I wish it were a four-way battle, and that I would be involved. I just want to win and be fighting at the top, and it is nice to see those battles, but it would be lovely if I could be a part of it."