The big questions concerning Leclerc’s Ferrari F1 future
If Charles Leclerc’s sheer bravura calls to mind the legendary Gilles Villeneuve, a more troubling comparison looms: the absence of a world title to add to Ferrari’s trophy cabinet. ALEX KALINAUCKAS points out that while team and car have well-publicised shortcomings, Charles might just – whisper it – be unwittingly part of the problem…
As Formula 1’s summer shutdown enforces a three-week break from Max Verstappen
and Red Bull’s domination of the current campaign, rivals will have much to ponder. One such is Charles Leclerc, for whom the prospect of winning the world championship has grown even more distant after another error-strewn season. The choices he makes in the coming months are likely
to define his career, especially the question of his ongoing relationship with Ferrari.
While clear fractures have developed between Leclerc and the team, there’s no doubting the power of the almost mystical connections tying him to Ferrari. Think back to last October’s Singapore Grand Prix, a rare slip-up for Max when Red Bull cost him a front-row start by under-fuelling him in qualifying and Verstappen then botched the recovery. While Sergio Perez maintained Red Bull’s honour by winning, it was Leclerc who stole the show. Having blown his ninth (and final) pole position of 2022 with a poor start to the rain-delayed race, Charles spent two hours trying to make amends – throwing his Ferrari around the tricky street course with wild abandon, the frustration of gifting Perez the lead evident in every snappy steer.
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
How a McLaren winner overshadowed by scandal was dealt self-inflicted setbacks
How a McLaren winner overshadowed by scandal was dealt self-inflicted setbacks How a McLaren winner overshadowed by scandal was dealt self-inflicted setbacks
The numbers that reveal F1's aerodynamic efficiency improvements
The numbers that reveal F1's aerodynamic efficiency improvements The numbers that reveal F1's aerodynamic efficiency improvements
The Verstappen techniques that have made him F1’s benchmark driver
The Verstappen techniques that have made him F1’s benchmark driver The Verstappen techniques that have made him F1’s benchmark driver
How a legendary F1 tester who turned down Ferrari became a key mover and shaker
How a legendary F1 tester who turned down Ferrari became a key mover and shaker How a legendary F1 tester who turned down Ferrari became a key mover and shaker
Why Aston Martin plans to keep an unsung Jordan F1 legend's memory alive
Why Aston Martin plans to keep an unsung Jordan F1 legend's memory alive Why Aston Martin plans to keep an unsung Jordan F1 legend's memory alive
Why the Verstappen brand is well-placed to mirror his on-track F1 success
Why the Verstappen brand is well-placed to mirror his on-track F1 success Why the Verstappen brand is well-placed to mirror his on-track F1 success
The travails of Verstappen’s would-be Dutch F1 superstar predecessors
The travails of Verstappen’s would-be Dutch F1 superstar predecessors The travails of Verstappen’s would-be Dutch F1 superstar predecessors
F1 Japanese GP qualifying - Start time, how to watch & more
F1 Japanese GP qualifying - Start time, how to watch & more F1 Japanese GP qualifying - Start time, how to watch & more
Friday favourite: How a knack for Thruxton opened doors to an F3 stalwart
Friday favourite: How a knack for Thruxton opened doors to an F3 stalwart Friday favourite: How a knack for Thruxton opened doors to an F3 stalwart
Verstappen: Red Bull F1 car "enjoyable to drive again" after Singapore struggle
Verstappen: Red Bull F1 car "enjoyable to drive again" after Singapore struggle Verstappen: Red Bull F1 car "enjoyable to drive again" after Singapore struggle
Lawson set for Red Bull F1 role despite imminent Tsunoda deal
Lawson set for Red Bull F1 role despite imminent Tsunoda deal Lawson set for Red Bull F1 role despite imminent Tsunoda deal
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP
The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP
The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake
The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake
Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak
The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak
How a McLaren winner overshadowed by scandal was dealt self-inflicted setbacks
How a McLaren winner overshadowed by scandal was dealt self-inflicted setbacks How a McLaren winner overshadowed by scandal was dealt self-inflicted setbacks
The numbers that reveal F1's aerodynamic efficiency improvements
The numbers that reveal F1's aerodynamic efficiency improvements The numbers that reveal F1's aerodynamic efficiency improvements
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.