Damon Hill believes Charles Leclerc is helplessly ‘stuck’ at Ferrari amid growing speculation of a Mercedes move

Charles Leclerc is speculated to leave Ferrari amidst their constant struggles

Damon Hill and Charles Leclerc via Express Sport

Times have been trying for Charles Leclerc at Ferrari in recent years, with misfortune always appearing to lurk around the corner. Since 2020, his seasons at the Scuderia have been synonymous with disappointment. The team, along with himself, have underwhelmed at crucial stages, with the frequency of these mutual shortcomings fueling potential exit rumors.

The Monegasque driver is widely recognized for his talent and potential. However, there is a prevailing belief that Ferrari has not fully capitalized on his capabilities. Speculation has arisen suggesting that Leclerc could be a leading contender to replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, especially considering his contract expires at the end of the season. These rumors grow stronger every weekend that Hamilton doesn’t renew, and Leclerc endures disappointment.

Damon Hill, former driver and now F1 pundit, has given his take on Leclerc’s situation at Ferrari on the Sky Sports F1 Podcast. He said, “I think he’s rather stuck at Ferrari for a bit. He’s never really been in an extended campaign for the championship. There have been moments that it’s been good and then they’ve faded, and he’s also had these blots on his copybook with qualifying, the banzai lap that goes wrong.”

Damon Hill also asserted that considering the current lineup of drivers in the top teams, it seems that they are satisfied with their current driver combinations. As a result, it may be challenging for Charles Leclerc to find another competitive team to join. He also added, “So I think he’s there for the long term, until they give him a car that he can go for a championship with.”

Charles Leclerc must be more forceful at Ferrari

According to Damon Hill, Charles Leclerc should adopt a more assertive approach, similar to that of Fernando Alonso and George Russell, regarding race strategy. He suggests that being more proactive and forceful in strategic decision-making could benefit Leclerc’s performance on the track.

In 2022, Ferrari encountered difficulties and challenges in terms of race strategies. The team faced various issues and setbacks regarding their strategic decision-making during races. In preparation for the upcoming season, the team has implemented significant changes behind the scenes, particularly emphasizing the communication flow among engineers during critical moments.

Binotto and for leclerc it’s Ferraris strategy. They have created two genuinely good cars back to back which is surprising , but they let strategy screw either one of the drivers over or both which adds the the pressure and frustration
— TEEV (@teevcal) May 12, 2023

At times, the team’s decisions may not always align with the driver’s best interests regarding their position in the championship. Therefore, Leclerc has been advised to assert himself more and make strategic choices that he believes will benefit his overall championship standing.

He believes drivers can influence strategic decisions during races, using Fernando Alonso and Max Verstappen as examples of drivers who effectively communicate and guide their teams. Even Carlos Sainz, Leclerc’s teammate, adopted this approach to take his maiden win at Silverstone in 2022. The Monegasque’s situation is growing dire at Ferrari, with limited options and time running out.