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 suitable automotive and a united staff behind you, it’s arduous to win.
But, the Dutchman managed to do it final season, bringing house an outstanding Method 1 world title. He had a terrific automotive at the beginning of the 2025 F1 season, however then, from Miami onwards, the prevalence of the MCL38 single-seater began to make an affect. 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 circumstances, like in Brazil, the place he began seventeenth and completed first, three components helped him so much. First, Crimson Bull. A staff able to turning ineffective setups inside out after which offering Max Verstappen with the very best efficiency for every Grand Prix. A magic circle that makes an enormous distinction in Method 1.
The opposite benefit considerations McLaren’s lack of ability to capitalize. The Woking staff threw away a ton of factors and, above all, determined to wager on the incorrect 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 staff’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 vehicles like Max Verstappen? Once more, it appears not. Might he have finished extra? Most likely sure. The one 12 months 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, apart from reliability points, the Monegasque driver was driving a powerful automotive. Most likely, just a few extra factors may have been earned that 12 months.
Nevertheless, it have to be mentioned that the regression suffered by the F1-75 was so drastic that successful with it turned virtually unimaginable. Would Max Verstappen have finished 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, no less than from our perspective, it stays fairly tough to make a definitive judgment. All that apart, Max Verstappen stays a rare Method 1 phenomenon.
The actual intention 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 by way of statistics, one may 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. One among 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 may be one other high quality that many, mistakenly, have not often attributed to him in recent times. We’re speaking about his technical skill to develop the automotive with the staff and steer the path by way of driving type 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 could be totally misplaced? Completely sure.
Up by way of the Chinese language Grand Prix, the Monegasque driver studied the Ferrari to know how you can optimize its efficiency together with his driving type. And we aren’t simply speaking about uncooked driving expertise. No, sir. We’re speaking in regards to the skill to know the automotive higher than the Ferrari technicians and engineers and to impose his expertise to enhance the dealing with and increase efficiency. It has usually been mentioned that whereas Charles Leclerc is quick, he doesn’t know how you can develop the automotive, is just not a check driver, and doesn’t contribute to the staff’s development, all claims which were repeated many instances regardless of being unfounded.
However the path taken since Shanghai is so clear that it proves all that incorrect. And it’s exactly when issues come up {that a} driver’s skill involves gentle, not simply in driving, but in addition in guiding the staff towards the suitable 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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