In a rare moment of mutual admiration amid the high-stakes world of Formula 1, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has responded warmly to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen naming him the grid’s top qualifier and overtaker. The comments, shared ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on September 18, 2025, highlight the deep-rooted respect between the two rivals, who first battled wheels as teenagers in karting before ascending to F1 stardom.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Leclerc, 27, delved into the personal history that binds him and the four-time world champion. “There’s a lot of respect. We grew up together, we fought each other for many years,” Leclerc said. “Unfortunately in F1 we didn’t properly fight yet. I hope one day that’ll be the case.” His words evoke the thrilling 2022 season, when the pair traded victories and poles in a championship showdown that captivated fans, only for Verstappen’s Red Bull dominance to pull ahead late in the year.
Verstappen’s endorsement came during a rapid-fire interview with Mundo Deportivo earlier this month, where the Dutch driver was asked to pick the best in various F1 skills—excluding himself. Without hesitation, he pointed to Leclerc for qualifying prowess and overtaking ability. “Phew, it’s difficult, but I think currently… I’ve always considered Charles Leclerc to be a very good driver in qualifying,” Verstappen said. He doubled down on the overtaking nod, adding that Leclerc excels in wheel-to-wheel combat, a trait that’s defined some of the Monegasque’s standout performances.
The praise landed just as the 2025 season intensifies, with Verstappen chasing a fifth consecutive title and Leclerc gunning for his first Ferrari win in a car that’s shown flashes of brilliance but struggled with reliability. Leclerc holds the unfortunate record for most poles without a championship—27 in 165 starts—underscoring his one-lap magic that Verstappen himself acknowledges. Fans on social media erupted with “Lestappen” nostalgia, referencing the duo’s electric rivalry and the hypothetical dream of a sustained title fight.
Leclerc’s response underscores a bond forged in youth: Both drivers honed their skills in the cutthroat world of European karting, where Verstappen edged Leclerc in the 2013 CIK-FIA European Karting Championship. Their F1 paths crossed dramatically in Bahrain 2019, when a collision ended both races prematurely, but since then, it’s been mostly respectful duels—save for a few heated moments like the 2021 Silverstone clash.
As the Azerbaijan circuit looms, with its tight street layout favoring bold overtakes, Leclerc’s optimism feels poignant. “Bring back 2022,” one fan account quipped on X, capturing the sentiment of a paddock eager for parity between Ferrari and Red Bull. With McLaren emerging as a third force this year, the stars may finally align for the on-track fireworks both drivers crave. For now, though, it’s the off-track camaraderie that steals the show—a reminder that beneath the helmets, these titans are old friends hungry for more.
