The Run In: assessing Louis Delétraz’s chances

Returning to Charouz Racing System for 2020, Louis Delétraz has already scored 30 more points than he did in the entirety of 2019 and is also a place better off in the Drivers’ Championship.

Sitting seventh in the standings, the Swiss racer may be a long shot for the title, but it remains mathematically possible and he’ll have his eyes on a top five finish at very least.

Sitting just 18 points off fifth, we assess the 23-year-old’s chances ahead of the final two rounds of the season.

IMPROVED CONSISTENCY

A large part of Delétraz’s undoing in 2019 was his consistency, the Swiss driver finished on the podiums three times last season but failed to score a single point in the following race on each occasion. In total, he took 10 pointless finishes, but that tally has been halved in 2020.

Delétraz has also followed up two of his four podiums this season with another positive result, managing to build on his success and spark some momentum. As much as anything, that’s been the key to his improvement this season and it’s why he still stands a chance of not just a top five finish, but also remains in the running for the title.

In terms of specific results, Round 9 in Mugello stands out more than any. Delétraz took his first double podium in the Championship, finishing third in the Feature Race and second in the Sprint. His performance in the latter was as good as anything he has produced in the second tier, fighting his way up from sixth to beat out Jüri Vips.

He’ll need more performances like that if he’s to move up the table in the closing rounds.

THE WAIT FOR A WIN

For all of his improved consistency this season, Delétraz’s search for a maiden victory in the top tier of junior motorsport continues. The Swiss racer has clinched a podium place on four occasions this season, but couldn’t make it to the top step on any of them.

If he wants to take his drive to the next level, then Delétraz needs to get that particular monkey off his back and break his duct. If he manages that before the end of the season, then who knows where it could take him.

FROM THE GRID

"Mathematically, I can still win the Championship and I am very motivated,” said Delétraz. “We had a strong test in Bahrain during pre-season, we have a strong car and I want to end the year on a high.

“I am not thinking about the Championship, I just want to win races and see where I end up. I think it is extremely tight this year and there is all to play for. Mick (Schumacher) has a big lead and I am quite far from that, so realistically I am not expecting to win the title.

“I am going to Bahrain knowing that there are four possible victories on the table and I will not think about anything else other than being fast and going for the win.”