Charles Leclerc really needed the Formula One break to clear his mind. His season had started so promisingly, then his big lead over title rival Max Verstappen mushroomed into a huge deficit.
Leclerc won two of the first three races for Ferrari as Verstappen’s Red Bull had reliability woes. But a staggering 126-point swing in the next 10 races gave Verstappen an impregnable-looking 80-point lead heading into Sunday’s Belgian Grand Prix, where the season resumes.
The mental strain built up for Leclerc as he was confronted with confusing team calls, while also getting furious at some of his own driving errors. The break came at an opportune time for a totally drained Leclerc.
