F1: Leclerc admits Verstappen has defeated him

Ferrari F1 driver Charles Leclerc has thrown in the towel and admits defeat to Max Verstappen in this year’s F1 Driver’s  title.

Since holding a lead of 46 points over Red Bull’s reigning champion Max Verstappen after the first three grands prix, Ferrari driver Leclerc has fallen 98 points adrift of the Dutchman.

“I don’t know how many points there are between Max and I,” said Leclerc. “I stopped counting but it’s a lot of points.

“We will take it race by race, see what’s possible, and if there’s a good surprise at the end of the year, good.

“But, obviously, looking at things the way they are now, realistically it’s extremely difficult to make it work.”

Crucially, Leclerc then added: “But there is still plenty to fight for, for the constructors’ championship, for second place in the championship.

“In general, I’ll be pushing until the end.”