Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) (AFP)

Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), who won his first F1 victory on Sunday at the Belgian Grand Prix, said it was difficult to enjoy the day after Anthoine Hubert's death in an F2 race on that day. same circuit the day before.

"It's very difficult to enjoy this first victory," said the young Monegasque, adding that "it was a very sad day yesterday (Saturday)".

But "it's a childhood dream come true," he added, as he turns 21, his first season for the Italian team, one of the most successful in history discipline.

"Losing Anthoine yesterday brought me back in 2005 when, for my first championship in France, there was him, Esteban (Ocon), Pierre (Gasly) and we were four teenagers dreaming of F1", he remembered . "So it's hard to enjoy today, but in a few weeks I'll realize what happened today."

"For me, this is the first time I find myself in the situation where you lose someone and then you have to run the next day, but you lower your visor and you go there," he said.

Asked what could be done to further improve safety in motor racing, Leclerc praised the work done over the last 20 years by the International Automobile Federation (FIA). "We must continue in this direction".

The Ferrari driver resisted in the final laps of the five-time world champion Lewis Hamilton's return race, with the Briton failing within one second of the finish line.

- "Different approach" -

"At the end, I was looking at my mirrors and my race engineer was giving me away with Lewis, he was going very fast and with one lap more it would have been hard to keep him behind," he said.

"It's not the first time I'm running a race and I'm being chased by someone who's going faster, but in that case, I'm trying to do what I have to do and finish the race," said Leclerc, adding that "my rear tires have deteriorated fairly quickly" allowing Hamilton to come back on him.

After having lost the Bahrain GP early in the season, the Monegasque had to wait for the 13th race of the year to win his first F1 victory.

Starting in pole position on the grid, he attributed his best performances recently in qualifying to "a different approach", without specifying which one. He was also close Sunday his teammate Sebastian Vettel in the provisional ranking of the world championship, occupying the 5th place with 157 points for 169 to the German, far behind Hamilton (268).

"I have the car and the team to fight for the world championship and, although I still have a lot to learn, I'm ready, otherwise I would not be in the car I am in today "he said.

The next race will be held next Sunday in Monza, Italy, in front of a public all-in-his-cause - it is expressed as easily in Italian as in French - and that of Ferrari.

(Interviewed at a press conference)

© 2019 AFP