Will Charles Leclerc finally become the No.1 driver at Ferrari following Mattia Binotto’s exit?


Will Charles Leclerc finally become the No.1 driver at Ferrari following Mattia Binotto’s exit?

Charles Leclerc

Charles Leclerc started his Formula 1 career with Sauber back in 2018. Ever since then, the Monegasque driver’s career has been on a steep rise. Nevertheless, he was never given the priority status in his team. There was either a No.1 driver or both the drivers were deemed equal. However, this might change next year as Ferrari enters a new era of management.

ADVERTISEMENT

Back during his Sauber days, Charles Leclerc proved the fact that he was the superior driver at the Swiss based outfit. At the end of the 2018 season, the Monegasque driver stood 13th in the championship standings after acquiring a total of 39 points. Meanwhile his teammate only managed to score 9 points over the course of the season.

With Marcus Ericson being the more experienced driver, this might have come as a surprise but it wasn’t. Charles had an amazing career in the lower Formula categories. Which is why he was poised for success in the pinnacle of motorsport. Ericson’s contract was not renewed for next season while Leclerc got picked up by Ferrari where he was partnered with Sebastian Vettel.

Also Read: Why does Lewis Hamilton not take part in F1’s Secret Santa?

ADVERTISEMENT

Charles Leclerc had to play the support role at Ferrari in 2019

Sebastian Vettel with Charles Leclerc
Sebastian Vettel with Charles Leclerc

Having replaced Kimi Raikkonen, Charles Leclerc finally achieved his dream of racing with the Scuderia. However, the No.1 driver status was held by 4 time world champion Sebastian Vettel back in 2019. The Monegasque driver stated that he would accept the German driver as the No.1 at Ferrari. Shortly after, the 2019 season progressed and Charles went on a roll.

Leclerc won his first ever race during the same weekend where his mate Anthoine Hubert passed away as a result of a tragic accident during the F2 feature race at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps during the Belgian GP weekend. Charles Leclerc also went on to send the Tifosi into cheers as he won the Italian GP which is the Scuderia’s home race. Sebastian Vettel on the other hand only managed to win a single race that season.

Charles finished the 2019 season ahead of Sebastian Vettel in the drivers standings. Slowly it seemed like the baton was being passed. With 2020 coming into play, it all went haywire as Ferrari lost their pace and struggled to keep up with the guys at the top. Leclerc finished the 2020 season getting 7th place in the driver’s standings whilst Sebastian finished down in 12th place.

Charles Leclerc gets paired up with Carlos Sainz as Sebastian Vettel leaves Ferrari

Carlos Sainz, Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen
Carlos Sainz, Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen

With the 4 time F1 champion departing from the team, Carlos Sainz took his place and was a worthy competitor for ‘Ferrari’s next champion’. The 2021 season was a season where the team recovered and improved on their performances from 2020. What followed was a tense battle between the two that led to Carlos Sainz getting the better out of Charles Leclerc as he beat him in the standings by a few points.

ADVERTISEMENT

2022 was a whole different ball game for Charles Leclerc as he want on to challenge Max Verstappen for the title. With a some wins under his belt, he beat Carlos Sainz by a mile. He was faster and more consistent. With Ferrari’s Mattia Binotto announcing a shock exit from Ferrari a few weeks back, there were many questions regarding who the No.1 driver will be at Ferrari for 2023.

When Sainz joined the team, Binotto confirmed that both the drivers will be on equal status. However, with Fred Vasseur joining the squad as their team principal, things will slightly change. Charles Leclerc previously worked with Fred when he was the team boss at Sauber so they have a pretty good relationship and have previously worked together.

All this could become probable cause for Fred Vasseur to establish who will be the No.1 driver at Ferrari. It is unclear as of now but there is a high chance that the Monegasque driver will get the preference due to his performance in 2022 and his relationship with Ferrari’s new team leader. With 2023 closer on the horizon, it is all to play for as Ferrari gets another shot at redemption.

Read More: Pierre Gasly gives a glimpse of his “unforgettable dinner” with NBA legend, Michael Jordan in Miami

ADVERTISEMENT

Also Read: “We will do everything in our power,” Toto Wolff warns F1 teams of a Mercedes resurgence in 2023