Charles Leclerc continues to impress: his results in the first part of the season – despite a complex and underperforming car – allow him and Ferrari to hold their heads high and continue to fight. The Monegasque driver is managing to make a difference compared to Lewis Hamilton, who is encountering quite a few difficulties in his first season with the Scuderia. Beating a seven-time world champion is no mean feat, and considering that this is already Leclerc's second time, it deserves a more in-depth analysis.
2019: When Charles took Vettel by surprise
Charles Leclerc made his Ferrari debut in 2019, replacing Kimi Raikkonen and joining Sebastian Vettel, the Prancing Horse's top driver. The German was coming off a very dramatic season, with a world championship that slipped away due to a few mistakes (which later proved fatal) and several unfortunate incidents. Added to this was the loss of Sergio Marchionne, which affected him deeply.
That championship was supposed to be the year of rebirth, but it turned out to be anything but: Leclerc's arrival and his immediate speed surprised Vettel, who expected to have to mentor the young Monegasque driver at least for the first part of the championship. Instead, Charles quickly integrated into the Ferrari environment.
While Vettel managed to finish ahead of Leclerc in Australia (4th and 5th at the finish line), the Bahrain Grand Prix told a different story: the Monegasque was on the verge of victory, but an engine problem in the final stages ruined all hope. He finished third, with Vettel fifth, more than 30 seconds behind.
The two remained very close throughout the season, with Leclerc managing to secure two consecutive victories in Belgium and Monza, bringing Ferrari back to victory after nine years on its home circuit. In contrast, Vettel only managed one win in Singapore and a series of podium finishes. The final standings rewarded Leclerc, who finished with 264 points, twenty-four more than the German, who ended up with 240.
2020: Everything falls apart
The pandemic brought the whole world to a standstill, including Formula 1. The engines were silenced until July, when a “halved championship” kicked off with the Austrian Grand Prix. Only 16 races are held, in a context in which Ferrari appears to be in great difficulty. Despite everything, Leclerc once again manages to stay ahead of Vettel, who leaves Ferrari that very season.
This marks the end of the marriage between the German and the Prancing Horse: a union that has provided many thrills but has failed to achieve the biggest goal, the championship title. The 2018 German Grand Prix changed Vettel's fortunes at Ferrari, but many believe that Leclerc's arrival also influenced the German's decision, as he was overshadowed by the young talent on too many occasions.
As the years go by, Leclerc continues to iron out his mistakes, establishing himself as the team's leading man. Despite having no championship titles under his belt, he delivers brilliant performances and heart-stopping successes. This brings us to the current season, where Leclerc finds himself saying goodbye to Sainz and welcoming Sir Lewis Hamilton as his new teammate.
2025: King vs Prince
Hamilton's arrival generates great anticipation: fans, media professionals and even rival teams can't wait to see him behind the wheel of a Ferrari. There is already a lot of excitement from the first laps at Fiorano, as well as at the double presentation of the SF-25 in London and Milan. Expectations are sky high. Everyone is wondering: will Leclerc be able to keep up with him? Or will it be a heated battle between the two right from the start?
However, World Championship dreams quickly fade, thanks to an inconsistent car that is significantly less competitive than the McLaren, which is cruising towards winning both titles. Complicating matters is Hamilton's performance, who, unexpectedly, is struggling to settle into the Ferrari environment. The experts had predicted it: adaptation takes time - but the adaptation proves to be longer than expected.
After fourteen races, the results speak for themselves: Hamilton finishes 11 times behind Leclerc, with zero podiums (except for the victory in the Sprint Race in China and the podium in Miami, also in the Sprint). The Monegasque, on the other hand, has achieved five.
‘Maybe it's time to change drivers.’ These are the words Hamilton uttered at the end of qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix, where Leclerc took pole position. Strong words, revealing all the frustration and tension the champion is facing.
Leclerc is one of his concerns. Despite the disappointment of an uncompetitive car, the Monegasque continues to show solidity, talent and leadership. He is the team man, without a doubt. Different years, different drivers, but the same script. And at this point, the question arises:
What makes him unbeatable?
For many, his supremacy in Red is the result of his long tenure with the team, while for others it is simply a matter of pure talent. Over time, Leclerc has refined his driving, learning to manage his tyres better and seize every opportunity on the track. He is among the best in the flying lap and, when the car allows it, he proves to be a tough opponent in close combat.
But what really sets him apart from his teammates is his extraordinary ability to adapt to the constant technical changes in the car. He has been forced to revise his driving style several times: a far from easy task, but one he has always tackled with speed and precision, leading to concrete (and consistent) results in a short time. It is precisely this responsiveness that makes him one of the most complete and feared drivers on the grid.
With the summer break coming to an end, we can only wait and see what the second half of the season will bring for the Ferrari duo and whether Lewis Hamilton will manage to close the gap on Charles Leclerc.
I would like to thank Marco Sassara for his valuable and always welcome contribution.
Read the original version (italian): https://www.formula1.it/news/26302/1/charles-leclerc-l-ammazza-campioni-in-rosso
Inside photo www.ferrari.com
Main cover photo www.ferrari.com
Inside photo www.ferrari.com
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