Charles Leclerc is now firmly established as one among Ferrari’s most important drivers, sitting fourth on the record of all-time race begins for the long-lasting staff in System 1. With 126 race appearances beneath his belt, he not too long ago surpassed Sebastian Vettel and is now aiming to cross Felipe Massa’s tally of 139 race begins, which he’s anticipated to attain across the center of the 2025 season. On the prime of the record is Michael Schumacher, who gained 5 championships with Ferrari and made 180 race begins for the staff, whereas Kimi Raikkonen sits in second place with 151 begins. Regardless of the arrival of Lewis Hamilton in 2025, Charles Leclerc stays Ferrari’s golden boy, having been with their driver academy since 2016 and incomes his first F1 contract with Sauber in 2018 after his success in GP3 and System 2.
Charles Leclerc’s rise in System 1 was swift and spectacular, spending just one season at Sauber earlier than transferring as much as Ferrari. In his first yr with the Scuderia, he claimed a historic win at Monza, and since then, he has added eight victories, 26 pole positions, and 42 podiums to his résumé. His arrival at Ferrari marked the top of a difficult interval for the staff, with Leclerc outscoring four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel by a major margin of 24 factors of their first season collectively. This sturdy efficiency led to the announcement that Vettel would depart the staff on the finish of the 2020 season, making method for Carlos Sainz, who joined in 2021 and has since moved on to Williams.
Charles Leclerc’s uncooked expertise has earned him recognition from fellow drivers, with Esteban Ocon not too long ago claiming that Charles Leclerc, alongside Max Verstappen, is likely one of the most naturally gifted drivers in F1. At 27 years previous, the Monegasque continues to be trying to find his first World Championship title, along with his continued consistency and spectacular performances putting him among the many sport’s elite.
Earlier than Leclerc’s rise to prominence, Ferrari had already been intently monitoring his progress throughout his early years in System 1. Sauber was not the one staff operating Ferrari engines in 2018; Haas, an American outfit based in 2016, was additionally utilizing the Italian producer’s energy models. Haas’s star driver that season was Kevin Magnussen, who performed an important position in securing the staff’s fifth-place end within the Constructors’ Championship, contributing 56 of their 93 factors. Kevin Magnussen’s sturdy performances early within the season, together with 4 top-six finishes within the first 9 races, sparked curiosity from Ferrari.
On the similar time, Charles Leclerc’s begin to his F1 profession was extra measured. He completed thirteenth, twelfth, and nineteenth in his first three races, which led Ferrari to think about him as a possible backup choice. The Monegasque driver even examined on their simulator, however the staff’s preliminary curiosity waned as Charles Leclerc’s performances improved over the course of the season. In the end, Ferrari’s resolution to advertise him to their staff was vindicated, as Charles Leclerc has gone on to develop into one of many staff’s most promising skills and is now a key determine of their pursuit of a championship.
“In 2018, we had a extremely good automotive within the first half of the yr,” – the Danish driver mentioned – “Charles had simply arrived in F1 with Sauber. And the beginning of his first season wasn’t nice. And mine was actually good! After which instantly Ferrari was reaching out.” – he added.
“All of the sudden I used to be driving of their simulator, not for Haas, however for Ferrari. They have been sniffing round. And I believed, okay… I used to be already getting enthusiastic about the place this was going. However then Charles began to essentially kill it! And I heard nothing. I don’t know the way shut it bought. However I believe if Charles had not began to carry out, if he had had a s****y season all yr lengthy, I believe I might have been one of many drivers they might have checked out. Generally you’re feeling like you’re getting shut, however nonetheless not that shut. That’s the best way it goes.” – he admitted.
Anthony Davidson has expressed a robust want to see Kevin Magnussen go head-to-head with Max Verstappen in a future System 1 season, acknowledging the extreme rivalry that would emerge between the 2. Nonetheless, six years after Magnussen’s spectacular debut, he now finds himself with no seat on the grid. With Haas opting to not renew his contract, as a substitute bringing in Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman for the upcoming seasons, it seems that Magnussen’s F1 profession could also be coming to an finish.
Magnussen’s early years in System 1 have been marked by notable achievements that left followers and pundits alike impressed. His debut race in 2014, the place he completed on the rostrum in Australia, was a outstanding feat for a rookie driver, and he adopted it up with a surprising pole place on the 2022 Sao Paulo Grand Prix. But, regardless of these moments of brilliance, he by no means managed to safe a race win, a indisputable fact that has hung over his profession.
Together with his future in System 1 unsure, Magnussen is eyeing a brand new chapter in motorsport, significantly with the rise of Cadillac as a possible F1 staff beginning in 2026. If the American staff decides to herald a seasoned driver to steer their cost, Magnussen might very properly discover himself on their radar, bringing his in depth expertise and aggressive spirit to a brand new atmosphere.
Anthony Davidson, a former F1 driver and present commentator, has lengthy been an admirer of Magnussen’s driving model, which he describes as aggressive and unyielding. Davidson has usually identified that Magnussen is a “robust nut,” somebody who isn’t afraid to become involved in wheel-to-wheel battles with a few of the greatest within the enterprise. Based on Davidson, the prospect of Magnussen going through off in opposition to Verstappen, identified for his relentless racing and no-nonsense method, would create an exhilarating and fiery dynamic on observe. Their intense driving kinds might result in some extremely thrilling and unpredictable racing, making for a spectacle that followers would eagerly anticipate.
Anthony Davidson’s enthusiasm for this potential matchup displays a broader sentiment within the F1 group: that the game is at all times higher when its most aggressive drivers are pitted in opposition to each other. In a world the place rivalries usually outline a season, the concept of Kevin Magnussen and Max Verstappen locking horns would undoubtedly present loads of drama and pleasure for F1 followers around the globe.
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