Leclerc scoffs at outrageous Verstappen F1 title claim

Charles Leclerc has scoffed at Max Verstappen's claims he could have won the 2024 F1 world championship in a Ferrari or McLaren. 

Red Bull racer Verstappen wrapped up his fourth title last time out in Las Vegas, but after winning seven of the first 10 races, has won just one in the last 12. 

McLaren and Ferrari's cars have both won five grands prix apiece in the season, with Verstappen declaring that: "Yes, even earlier, so [I would have been] further ahead," when asked if he could have won the title with the MCL38 machine. 

"[With the Ferrari], pretty much the same I think," he added, but believed the Mercedes was a step too far.

When this claim was put to Ferrari driver Leclerc, the Monegasque felt Verstappen's claim was stretching reality.

"Max is a very special driver, and I think what makes him very special is also the confidence that he has," Leclerc told media including RacingNews365.

"I think, however, that it is very difficult to say something like that not knowing actually what the car is like. 

"He is an incredible driver no doubt, but whether he would have made it or not, I don't know.

"I don't know how the Red Bull is, how the McLaren is, and he doesn't know how the Ferrari is, so maybe it is a bit of a stretch to say something like that."