Leclerc upbeat about winning on a track he loves

An hour before Charles Leclerc's arrival at 313@somerset for a sponsor's event on Sept 30, fans decked in Ferrari shirts had begun gathering in the mall, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Formula One star.

- Kimberly Kwek Sports Correspondent

When the 27-year-old finally emerged inside apparel sponsor Puma's flagship store, the screams were instant as the Monegasque smiled and waved at the crowd, appearing in good spirits, at ease in a country he has grown fond of.

The Ferrari driver has five podium finishes this season but is still without a win, something he hopes to change at the Oct 3-5 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix on the Marina Bay Street Circuit.

"It's been a tough season. I don't think we've been exactly where we want to be as a team," Leclerc told The Straits Times in an interview arranged by Puma.

"Personally, I'm very happy with the way I've performed and I'm just really looking forward to bringing Ferrari to the top and to be winning again and I hope it starts this weekend in Singapore - it's a track that I love, it's one of my favourite tracks of the season."

While Leclerc, who has eight F1 victories, has never stood atop the podium in Singapore, he has a creditable record on the street circuit of the night race.