Charles Leclerc, Ferrari's star driver, has made a candid and "painful" admission regarding his team's current standing against a dominant McLaren. With only a few races remaining this season, the Monegasque driver believes McLaren holds the upper hand at every circuit.
Why it matters:
Leclerc's stark assessment highlights a critical power shift in Formula 1. Coming from one of Ferrari's leading figures, it underscores the formidable challenge McLaren poses, potentially dimming Ferrari's hopes for consistent victories or championship contention against the papaya-coloured cars.
Leclerc's Candid Assessment:
Speaking during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, Leclerc, who currently sits fifth in the drivers’ standings, openly shared his thoughts:
- "I don't think there's one track at the moment where we think we are stronger than McLaren."
- "Consistently, McLaren is going to be the strongest car this year. Red Bull is a little bit more up and down, a bit like us and Mercedes, but there's one constant, and that is McLaren."
- He admitted, "For now, I don't think there are any tracks where I go to and think we will be the favourite, but I hope I'll be surprised."
This view is backed by McLaren's impressive performance, securing podium finishes in all but one of the 14 races held so far this campaign.
Looking Ahead: Vasseur's Role:
Despite the current struggles, Leclerc expressed strong support for Ferrari's decision to extend Team Principal Fred Vasseur's contract. He emphasized the importance of continuity for the Maranello-based team's long-term success.
- "Stability is always very important. Fred is the person we look up to and the person leading the team."
- "To have him for many more years is definitely a good thing, also because in Formula 1 it takes time to build something, especially a successful team."
- Leclerc concluded, "I'm very happy about that. Knowing that I'll be able to have Fred alongside me for more years makes me optimistic for the future."