Is Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc higher than Max Verstappen? However how are you going to even reply such a query. We’re speaking about drivers racing in the identical period and of the identical age. All true. Nonetheless, they’ve two very totally different tales, which clearly emerge if you take a look at their résumés. Max Verstappen has received 4 Components 1 world championships, the Monegasque has none. A undeniable fact that makes you suppose, however solely up to some extent, as a result of with out the proper automobile and a united staff behind you, it’s arduous to win.
But, the Dutchman managed to do it final season, bringing dwelling an exceptional Components 1 world title. He had an excellent automobile at first of the 2025 F1 season, however then, from Miami onwards, the prevalence of the MCL38 single-seater began to make an affect. On the similar time, Pink Bull went right into a technical droop, recovering solely within the closing third of the season. However the Dutchman by no means gave up, optimizing each race weekend.
Along with his immense benefit, particularly evident in some instances, like in Brazil, the place he began seventeenth and completed first, three parts helped him loads. First, Pink Bull. A staff able to turning ineffective setups inside out after which offering Max Verstappen with the very best efficiency for every Grand Prix. A magic circle that makes an enormous distinction in Components 1.
The opposite benefit issues McLaren’s lack of ability to capitalize. The Woking staff threw away a ton of factors and, above all, determined to wager on the incorrect driver. Oscar Piastri’s begin to this 2025 Components 1 season confirms it. The final level, and never a minor one, is Ferrari’s return to competitiveness from Monza onwards. The Maranello staff’s drivers have been capable of combat for race victories and due to this fact took many factors away from Lando Norris.
Has Charles Leclerc ever discovered himself in such a scenario? It appears not. Has he ever had dominant vehicles like Max Verstappen? Once more, it appears not. May he have finished extra? In all probability sure. The one yr the place he had a automobile able to preventing, for some time, was 2022. In that championship, for a couple of third of the Components 1 season, other than reliability points, the Monegasque driver was driving a robust automobile. In all probability, a number of extra factors may have been earned that yr.
Nevertheless, it should be mentioned that the regression suffered by the F1-75 was so drastic that successful with it grew to become nearly inconceivable. Would Max Verstappen have finished higher in his place? Who is aware of… it’s doable. The actual fact stays that these are all simply opinions. That’s exactly why, contemplating this quick abstract, at the least from our perspective, it stays fairly troublesome to make a definitive judgment. All that apart, Max Verstappen stays a rare Components 1 phenomenon.
The true intention of this text was to not decide who’s the higher driver. Undoubtedly, taking a look at Max Verstappen’s numbers and placing him forward of the Ferrari man when it comes to statistics, one may say that Charles Leclerc excels in a number of key areas. He’s extremely quick, aggressive, excellent in wheel-to-wheel battles, and extremely tactical when wanted. One in all many examples was simply final weekend on the 6.174-kilometre Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the place his very good tire administration earned Ferrari the primary podium for the 2025 Components 1 marketing campaign.
However there may be one other high quality that many, mistakenly, have not often attributed to him in recent times. We’re speaking about his technical capability to develop the automobile with the staff and steer the path when it comes to driving type and upgrades. If there have been nonetheless any doubts, after the primary 5 Grands Prix of the season, can we are saying that with out Charles Leclerc Ferrari can be completely misplaced? Completely sure.
Up by means of the Chinese language Grand Prix, the Monegasque driver studied the Ferrari to grasp easy methods to optimize its efficiency along with his driving type. And we aren’t simply speaking about uncooked driving expertise. No, sir. We’re speaking concerning the capability to grasp the automobile higher than the Ferrari technicians and engineers and to impose his expertise to enhance the dealing with and increase efficiency. It has typically been mentioned that whereas Charles Leclerc is quick, he doesn’t know easy methods to develop the automobile, is just not a check driver, and doesn’t contribute to the staff’s development, all claims which were repeated many instances regardless of being unfounded.
However the path taken since Shanghai is so clear that it proves all that incorrect. And it’s exactly when issues come up {that a} driver’s capability involves mild, not simply in driving, but additionally in guiding the staff towards the proper path. Charles Leclerc is doing this as soon as once more, proving to be the true and solely chief of this group. The one Ferrari replace that, within the 2025 championship, is working brilliantly. Simply ask Lewis Hamilton for affirmation.
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