Damon Hill to Ferrari: Give Leclerc the car

Former World Champion Damon Hill has weighed in on Charles Leclerc's title prospects, stating unequivocally that the Monegasque driver possesses all the talent required to win a championship. The key missing piece, according to Hill, is a consistently competitive car from Ferrari, a sentiment that has long defined Leclerc's promising yet unfulfilled tenure with the Scuderia.

Why it matters:

Leclerc is widely considered one of the most gifted drivers on the grid, yet his career at Ferrari has been marked by missed opportunities and machinery that couldn't sustain a season-long title fight. Hill's validation from a former champion puts immense pressure on Ferrari to deliver a car worthy of its driver. The team's ability to do so will determine if they can end their long-standing championship drought and finally allow Leclerc to fulfill his immense potential.

The details:

• Hill's direct assessment: On the Drive to Wynn podcast, Hill was clear in his evaluation: "I don’t think anyone can look at what Charles has done and not conclude that he’s an extremely fast racing driver and got the potential to become a world champion. They just need to give him the car."
• A history of what-ifs: Leclerc's time at Ferrari has been a rollercoaster. He immediately outperformed four-time champion Sebastian Vettel in 2019 and mounted a serious, credible challenge in the first half of 2022 before the car's development stalled, allowing Max Verstappen to dominate the second half of the season.
• A broader team struggle: Hill also noted the tough season for Lewis Hamilton, calling it a "choker" for the seven-time champion, which further underscores the current challenges facing the entire Ferrari team in producing a top-tier package.

Looking Ahead:

The upcoming 2026 regulation reset represents a critical juncture for both Ferrari and Leclerc. It offers the Scuderia a golden opportunity to start from a clean slate and build a car that can truly compete at the front. If Ferrari can capitalize on this new era and deliver the machinery that Hill and many others believe Leclerc deserves, it could finally transform the narrative from one of frustration to one of championship contention.