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CHRISTELLE LECLERC SIGNS MULTI-YEAR DEAL WITH WILLIAMS RACING Published December 30, 2021
THE START OF THE 2022 FORMULA 1 SEASON IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER. The grid will be seeing a familiar face in the paddock donning the iconic blue and white suit of Williams Racing next season. Her contract with Alfa Romeo expired at the conclusion of the 2021 season, only 18 days prior. It was confirmed just this morning that Christelle Leclerc, fellow Monégasque driver and younger sister of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, had signed a multi-year contract with the historic British team ahead of the 2022 season. Leclerc will join Williams alongside Alex Albon, who is returning to the F1 grid after a year as Red Bull's reserve driver.
There had been much speculation surrounding Leclerc's future in the sport. Following her debut in 2019 alongside a host of rookies—including George Russell, Lando Norris, Alex Albon, and Mathilde Lévesque—Leclerc quickly established herself as a fierce competitor. She's spent the past three seasons with Alfa Romeo, where she partnered with Kimi Räikkönen and later Antonio Giovinazzi. Christelle's rookie season in 2019 was challenging, with 10 races outside the points and three DNFs. She came tantalizingly close to her first Grand Prix win in Germany, missing out by just 7.892 seconds to Max Verstappen. While she managed several top-ten finishes, she ended the season without a podium. Christelle has made a comeback the following year, though quarantine and the COVID-19 pandemic caused the season to start quite later than normal—July instead of the usual February or March—she scored points in 12 of the 17 races she completed, with the remaining five ending in DNFs.
The 2021 season is over and done with, which resulted in an overall better season for her, finishing 6th in the Drivers' Championship. With a new surge of confidence, the 22-year-old Monegasque driver is amongst many of Formula 1's promising talents ready to take on a fresh challenge.
A Rising Star on the Grid
Born in Monaco in 1999, Christelle Leclerc followed in the footsteps of her brothers Charles and Arthur. She has long been in the spotlight. But she has consistently proven that she is more than capable of forging her own path in motorsport. Her journey to Formula 1 began in karting, followed by an impressive climb through the ranks of single-seater racing, rising through the junior categories before earning her F1 debut with Alfa Romeo in 2019.
While Alfa Romeo's performance during her tenure was limited by the car's lack of competitiveness, Leclerc consistently delivered strong performances, often outperforming her more experienced teammate, Kimi Räikkönen, who retired at the end of the 2021 season. The lessons she learned during that partnership are expected to serve her well as she transitions to Williams. Her ability to adapt and her technical feedback earned her respect within the paddock, as well as among fans. While she has yet to score a race win, her performances have been steadily improving, particularly in challenging conditions.
Leclerc's move to Williams marks a fresh start and an opportunity to further showcase her talent. The Grove-based team has shown significant improvement under the leadership of CEO Jost Capito and their new ownership group, Dorilton Capital, scoring points on multiple occasions and finishing ahead of Alfa Romeo and Haas in the Constructors' Championship. George Russell's standout performances in 2021 were instrumental in bringing Williams back into the points after several challenging seasons. Leclerc's arrival is seen as a key step in the team's long-term vision.
Williams' ongoing efforts to rebuild and climb back up the grid has strengthened their hopes on regaining their place as a top team in Formula 1. Speaking about the signing, Capito expressed his confidence in Leclerc's abilities and her potential to help drive the team forward. "We are thrilled to welcome Christelle to Williams Racing," Capito said. "She has demonstrated immense skill and determination over the past three years, often punching above her weight in challenging machinery. Her work ethic and passion for racing align perfectly with the values of our team. We believe she will play a crucial role in our journey back to competitiveness."
Leclerc's move to Williams also reunites her with Alex Albon, a familiar face from her rookie season in 2019. The pair will form a dynamic and youthful driver lineup, bringing a mix of experience and hunger for success to the historic British team.
The team is also aiming to capitalize on the new regulations coming into effect in 2022, which are designed to level the playing field and encourage closer competition. With a multi-year contract in place, both Williams and Leclerc are looking to build a partnership that yields long-term success.
What's Next for Williams and Leclerc?
With a fresh driver lineup and significant changes to car design regulations in 2022, Williams Racing is aiming to establish themselves as a consistent points-scoring team. If that comes from whether or not the team's management will aid them, who knows what will happen to the team? Leclerc's experience, combined with Albon's hunger to prove himself once again, creates an intriguing dynamic for the season ahead.
As the team works tirelessly through the winter break to prepare for pre-season testing for the upcoming 2022 season, fans are already speculating about what Leclerc's future at Williams may hold.
While Williams still faces an uphill battle to return to its former glory, all eyes will be on Christelle Leclerc and Alex Albon as they take on the challenge of driving for Williams Racing. With a new generation of cars, a shifting competitive landscape, and a fresh lineup, the team is optimistic about their chances of making further strides up the grid.
As the 2022 season approaches, Christelle Leclerc's journey with Williams promises to be one of the most compelling narratives on the grid. With her talent and determination, and Williams' drive to climb back up the ranks, fans can expect to witness a new chapter in the team's storied history.
