Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Junior driver | Page 21 | FerrariChat

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Junior driver

Discussion in 'F1' started by Bas, May 14, 2017.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

  1. Surfah

    Surfah F1 Rookie

    Dec 20, 2011
    3,135
    Absolutely
     
  2. Sig. Roma

    Sig. Roma Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Mar 11, 2007
    1,061
    Bella Italia
    Full Name:
    Dom T.
    Montezemolo said Ferrari has a one and two, Vettel has been with the team for what 5 years now, and Charles is new?

    Vettel didn't go to Ferrari to play second fiddle to anyone.
     
    stavura likes this.
  3. DF1

    DF1 Two Time F1 World Champ

    His performance is perfect for a 2nd player! He has failed
     
    william likes this.
  4. william

    william Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 3, 2006
    25,446
    Perhaps, but a lot of water has gone under the bridge since Vettel has won his last WDC title, and it's obvious that he isn't as sharp as he once was.
    In fact, since Leclerc came at Ferrari, Vettel seems to assume the role Kimi had up to then.
    His performance in the last 2 or 3 years haven't been worthy of a 4-time WDC, IMO.
     
    jpalmito likes this.
  5. DF1

    DF1 Two Time F1 World Champ

    https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/147057/massa-tips-leclerc-to-win-a-title-before-verstappen

    Former Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa says he would not rule out Charles Leclerc winning the drivers' championship before Max Verstappen.

    The 2008 F1 runner-up, who took 11 victories for Ferrari during an eight-year stint at Maranello, said he has been hugely impressed by the way that Leclerc has settled in at his long-time team.

    Massa explained that particular elements of Leclerc's character had proved he would "not have to wait long" for a title - and could potentially beat the more experienced Verstappen to be the first of the

    "He's a very talented guy, but the thing that strikes me most is his head, and his ability to handle pressure," Massa told Autosport.

    "I do not know whether he is faster or slower than Verstappen, but the seven pole positions in his first year of Ferrari say a lot.

    "He made some mistakes, but I think we all have to consider his still limited experience in F1 and it was his first year in a top team.

    "He is a future world champion, and I think we will not have to wait long. I do not exclude that he can achieve that goal even before Verstappen."

    Leclerc spent just one season in F1 with Sauber before getting his Ferrari chance this year. Verstappen has three more years of F1 experience.

    Image Unavailable, Please Login

    Massa, who now races in Formula E, said it is easy to underestimate the pressure that comes from racing for Ferrari, which is what has made Leclerc's campaign even more impressive.

    Asked how hard it is adjusting to life at Ferrari, Massa - pictured above in 2008 - replied: "You have to be ready in many respects. You must learn to handle the pressure of the media, the fans, and the one that you put on yourself when you realise that you drive for Ferrari.

    "It is not a simple thing, and Charles has handled this aspect perfectly.

    "He's a good guy, and is more clever than he is given credit for."
     
    subirg, LVP488, NürScud and 2 others like this.
  6. I'm 360 Canuck

    I'm 360 Canuck Formula 3

    Nov 21, 2015
    1,911
    Ontario, The Real One in Canada
    Full Name:
    Lars!
    I’m a Leclerc fan for many reasons.
    But I’m not as down on Seb as I was at the start of the season. I think he’s sharpened up a lot in the back half of the season. I think he’s still got it...but needs to work on his attitude mostly. He is not the Ferrari team, just a part of it. He acts as if his dad owns the team.
     
    635CSI likes this.
  7. DF1

    DF1 Two Time F1 World Champ

    I can see some improvement but this might be a function of Charles and internal pressure. It has been consistent season as the last 2 with mistakes
     
  8. Sig. Roma

    Sig. Roma Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Mar 11, 2007
    1,061
    Bella Italia
    Full Name:
    Dom T.
    Agreed, but Vettel's been at Ferrari for a bunch of years. I am convinced that when he went to Ferrari it wasn't to be a Number 2.
     
    stavura likes this.
  9. Sig. Roma

    Sig. Roma Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Mar 11, 2007
    1,061
    Bella Italia
    Full Name:
    Dom T.
    Agreed, but Binotto has to do something about it, we can't do anything except make our opinions known.
     
  10. william

    william Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 3, 2006
    25,446

    We know that, but times have changed.
    Keeping him as Number One and keeping Leclerc on a short leash is simply bringing Ferrari down.
     
    Manda racing and Nembo1777 like this.
  11. william

    william Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 3, 2006
    25,446
    You mean criticising ?
     
  12. Sig. Roma

    Sig. Roma Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Mar 11, 2007
    1,061
    Bella Italia
    Full Name:
    Dom T.
    No, just making a statement. We can express our opinions, we are not the decision makers who have to also consider their bottom line.
     
    Manda racing likes this.
  13. william

    william Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 3, 2006
    25,446

    Plenty of pundits and F1 followers have come to the same conclusion that team priorities at Ferrari are wrong.
    When you start from an axiome like "Vettel is a 4-time WDC and Leclerc has just joined, therefore Vettel has priority in our strategy", you are not dealing with reality.
    Vettel has been declining and lost 2 possible WDCs BEFORE Leclerc joined, therefore his position as Number One should be reviewed, and not be set in stone.
     
    DF1 and I'm 360 Canuck like this.
  14. Sig. Roma

    Sig. Roma Formula 3
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Mar 11, 2007
    1,061
    Bella Italia
    Full Name:
    Dom T.
    No one says it is, but he has a contract. And it costs $$$$$ to break it. At least Ferrari / Binotto are giving him some benefit of the doubt.
     
    I'm 360 Canuck likes this.
  15. pilotoCS

    pilotoCS F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    May 19, 2019
    12,530
    The Capital of The United States of America
    Full Name:
    Willis
  16. 444sp

    444sp Formula Junior

    Dec 18, 2016
    506
  17. DF1

    DF1 Two Time F1 World Champ

    https://www.planetf1.com/features/conclusions-from-the-abu-dhabi-grand-prix-3/

    More questions for Ferrari

    From the botched qualifying to Leclerc’s fuel irregularity to the ill-judged early pit stop and problem at Vettel’s first stop, Ferrari made more mistakes in one grand prix weekend than Mercedes and Red Bull make collectively over half a season.

    Leclerc did well to finish third on the road despite a litany of issues and said after the race that he is eager to deliver for Ferrari in 2020. But for that to happen Ferrari will first have to deliver for him.

    And in 105 days’ time we will know whether they have.
     
    jpalmito and william like this.
  18. william

    william Two Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 3, 2006
    25,446

    The winter testings are not clear indication of strength, as this season has proven.
     
    DF1 likes this.
  19. Nembo1777

    Nembo1777 F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 4, 2006
    10,147
    opposite lock
    Full Name:
    Marc Sonnery
  20. crinoid

    crinoid F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 2, 2005
    9,414
    Full Name:
    LaCrinoid
  21. JStone414

    JStone414 Formula 3

    Sep 23, 2004
    1,159
    Gotham
    Full Name:
    Roman Sionis
    Ferrari have chosen their Alpha
     
    Thecadster likes this.
  22. NeuroBeaker

    NeuroBeaker Advising Moderator
    Moderator

    Oct 1, 2008
    38,742
    Huntsville, AL., USA
    Full Name:
    Andrew
    #522 NeuroBeaker, Dec 23, 2019
    Last edited: Dec 23, 2019
    NürScud and 375+ like this.
  23. DF1

    DF1 Two Time F1 World Champ

    https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/28358278/leclerc-extension-shows-how-reshaped-ferrari-2019


    Charles Leclerc's contract extension is a huge statement from F1's most famous team and speaks volumes about the impact he had during his first season in red.

    Leclerc's 2019 was not without drama and frustration, but on paper was very impressive. Ferrari had broken from its norm in 2019 by promoting the young Leclerc to replace Kimi Raikkonen and the Monaco native immediately set about showing that it was the correct decision - he claimed the first two victories of his F1 career, one of which ended Ferrari's drought at the Italian Grand Prix, and scored more pole positions than anyone else. He could have easily finished the year with four or five wins to his name rather than just two.

    It did plenty to justify the substantial hype which has followed Leclerc around since his junior racing career. In Leclerc Ferrari has now tied down one of the two hottest commodities on the grid (the other being Red Bull's Max Verstappen) to a long-term deal, which should make the tifosi feel very comfortable about the next decade of racing. It also speaks volumes about the nature of Leclerc's competitive relationship with teammate Sebastian Vettel this season.

    Leclerc joined the season as a clear number two to Vettel. Ahead of the Australian Grand Prix the team said the German driver would retain the priority in any 50/50 situations, with Leclerc very much feeling like a long-term project for two or three years down the line. If any driver was going to lead the charge for Ferrari - which entered the season as favourites for the title - it was Vettel. Leclerc was well thought of but there was no expectation he would be immediately competitive at the front.

    It became almost immediately clear Leclerc had no intention of being the dutiful number two or waiting for his opportunity to be Ferrari's main man. He very nearly won his second race, only to be robbed by an engine issue at the end of the Bahrain Grand Prix, where he had beaten Vettel to pole position. While there were the occasional mistakes you would expect from a young driver making such a big step in his career, every strong display seemed to increase Leclerc's confidence about his ability and, crucially, his place within the team.

    Vettel was clearly irritated by what was happening around him and spoke out against Leclerc later in the year when the youngster refused to return the favour of offering him a slipstream down Monza's long straights during qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix. Leclerc went on to claim pole position and win at Monza the following day -- prompting one Italian newspaper to dub him "The Prince Who Became a King" -- while Vettel, whose qualifying was ruined, was left fourth on the grid before making one of a number of high-profile errors which were littered throughout the campaign. A handful of races later Vettel went against a pre-race deal to hand the lead back to Leclerc after the opening corner at the Russian Grand Prix as the tense environment within Ferrari was laid bare for everyone to see.

    Leclerc's contract extension (which Italian press reports say comes with a substantial salary increase) comes in spite of the role he played in creating that environment alongside Vettel and very much confirms what everyone inside and outside the paddock already knew - while he was already the future of Ferrari, he is now very much the present as well. Leclerc's deal will not only cement that viewpoint in the Monegasque's head but it represents a kick in the teeth to Vettel, who until this season had tried to reshape the team around himself in the same fashion Michael Schumacher did in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

    If you needed any convincing Leclerc had become the team's main focus for the future, then this new deal -- longer than any of his rivals' -- is proof of that. Ferrari has already confirmed there will be no similar declaration ahead of the 2020 Australian Grand Prix about one driver being favoured over the other in 50/50 scenarios.

    What does 2020 hold for Vettel?
    As soon as Leclerc had his breakout year, next season was always going to be make-or-break for Vettel's Ferrari career. It will be the final year of the extension Vettel signed in 2017 at a time when several other big names are in similar situations. Ferrari chairman John Elkann's meetings with Lewis Hamilton started the rumour-mill, but Renault's Daniel Ricciardo will also be on the market. Ferrari won't be short of options if they want to jettison Vettel, who is currently on one of F1's most lucrative contracts.

    When Vettel joined Ferrari, he was heralded as the man who would end its long wait for a driver title but a maddeningly long list of high-profile errors have taken some of the gloss off the four-time world champion in recent years. Mistakes cost him and Ferrari the 2018 championship and those moments continued into 2019. Vettel's spin in the early laps of the Italian Grand Prix came as Leclerc romped away to victory out in front, which felt like the lowest point of his time at the team. He has given Ferrari plenty of reasons to seek other options for 2021 in the seat alongside Leclerc and surely cannot afford another year in which he is made to look fairly ordinary alongside a much younger and much less decorated teammate.
     
    375+, Sig. Roma and G. Pepper like this.
  24. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Six Time F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 22, 2004
    69,037
    Moot Pointe
    This should put to bed any further hopes of Hammy and Ricci fans......unless either of them will be content as clear #2.
     
  25. subirg

    subirg F1 Rookie

    Dec 19, 2003
    4,186
    Cheshire
    Good move by Ferrari. Now, if they can just find themselves a decent management team and effective strategists, they might be in with a chance of winning!

    Looks like Vettel is heading for retirement soon. At the end of 2020 at a guess...
     
    DF1 and 375+ like this.

Share This Page