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 whenever you have a look at their résumés. Max Verstappen has gained 4 Method 1 world championships, the Monegasque has none. A proven fact that makes you suppose, however solely up to some extent, as a result of with out the precise automotive and a united crew behind you, it’s exhausting to win.
But, the Dutchman managed to do it final season, bringing dwelling an outstanding Method 1 world title. He had an important automotive firstly of the 2025 F1 season, however then, from Miami onwards, the prevalence of the MCL38 single-seater began to make an impression. On the identical time, Crimson Bull went right into a technical droop, recovering solely within the ultimate 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 components helped him loads. First, Crimson Bull. A crew able to turning ineffective setups inside out after which offering Max Verstappen with the absolute best efficiency for every Grand Prix. A magic circle that makes an enormous distinction in Method 1.
The opposite benefit issues McLaren’s lack of ability to capitalize. The Woking crew threw away a ton of factors and, above all, determined to wager on the unsuitable driver. Oscar Piastri’s begin to this 2025 Method 1 season confirms it. The final level, and never a minor one, is Ferrari’s return to competitiveness from Monza onwards. The Maranello crew’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 state of affairs? It appears not. Has he ever had dominant automobiles like Max Verstappen? Once more, it appears not. May he have achieved extra? In all probability sure. The one yr the place he had a automotive able to combating, for some time, was 2022. In that championship, for a few third of the Method 1 season, except for reliability points, the Monegasque driver was driving a powerful automotive. In all probability, a couple of extra factors might have been earned that yr.
Nevertheless, it have to be stated that the regression suffered by the F1-75 was so drastic that successful with it grew to become nearly unimaginable. Would Max Verstappen have achieved 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 brief abstract, at the least from our perspective, it stays fairly tough to make a definitive judgment. All that apart, Max Verstappen stays a rare Method 1 phenomenon.
The true purpose of this text was to not decide who’s the higher driver. Undoubtedly, Max Verstappen’s numbers and placing him forward of the Ferrari man when it comes to statistics, one might 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. Certainly one of many examples was simply final weekend on the 6.174-kilometre Jeddah Corniche Circuit, the place his excellent tire administration earned Ferrari the primary podium for the 2025 Method 1 marketing campaign.
However there’s one other high quality that many, mistakenly, have not often attributed to him lately. We’re speaking about his technical capability to develop the automotive with the crew and steer the course when it comes to driving fashion 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 totally misplaced? Completely sure.
Up via the Chinese language Grand Prix, the Monegasque driver studied the Ferrari to grasp the way to optimize its efficiency together with his driving fashion. And we’re not simply speaking about uncooked driving expertise. No, sir. We’re speaking concerning the capability to grasp the automotive higher than the Ferrari technicians and engineers and to impose his expertise to enhance the dealing with and enhance efficiency. It has usually been stated that whereas Charles Leclerc is quick, he doesn’t know the way to develop the automotive, isn’t a check driver, and doesn’t contribute to the crew’s development, all claims which were repeated many occasions regardless of being unfounded.
However the course taken since Shanghai is so clear that it proves all that unsuitable. And it’s exactly when issues come up {that a} driver’s capability involves mild, not simply in driving, but additionally in guiding the crew towards the precise 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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