Charles Leclerc, the Ferrari driver, has shown mediocre performance in recent seasons. Despite his prolonged battle with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen for the championship in the 2022 season, ending as the F1 Drivers’ Championship runner-up, opinions about him have not significantly improved. Compared to his Ferrari predecessors like Schumacher or Alonso, Leclerc lacks a certain champion’s aura, which hampers his ability to triumph against similarly skilled opponents in Formula 1. Let’s delve into three key areas that contribute to Leclerc’s struggle to contend for the ultimate F1 title.
Deficiency One: Leclerc’s Poor Consistency.
This is an issue that has been discussed repeatedly. Experienced F1 viewers are aware of Leclerc’s inconsistency. While this characteristic might not be evident under low-pressure conditions this season, it was glaring in previous high-pressure campaigns. He has made mistakes both when under pursuit and out of the blue, leading to retirements. The most notorious example is his crash into a barrier while leading the French Grand Prix at Paul Ricard last season. Such errors are unacceptable for a title contender, and they were not uncommon throughout the previous season. This problem has persisted throughout Leclerc’s F1 career.
Deficiency Two: Leclerc’s Reckless Driving Habits.
While Verstappen and Hamilton are known for their reckless driving, which sometimes lands them in accidents, Leclerc’s impulsive tendencies are no less frequent. He tends to push the limits in corners, resembling video game tactics, often causing collisions. A prime instance is when he collided with Sebastian Vettel’s rear wing in the 2020 Styrian Grand Prix. These kinds of reckless maneuvers have frequently landed Leclerc in crashes, and for a championship aspirant, this is a significant issue. Retiring from a race due to such behavior can put a driver in a disadvantageous position, akin to the battles between Massa and Hamilton or Alonso and Vettel in the past.
Deficiency Three: Leclerc’s Significant Psychological Issues.
If the first two shortcomings put him at a major disadvantage in the title race, Leclerc’s mental struggles are decisive factors. Addressing this issue would likely improve his response to many situations. In the 2022 season, had it not been for his mental fluctuations resulting in avoidable errors, Verstappen would have faced a much more challenging path to victory, and Leclerc’s consistency would have seen a marked improvement.
In recent seasons, Leclerc’s emotional journey has been a rollercoaster of euphoria, relief, calmness, anger, disappointment, despair, and resignation. For an F1 driver aiming for the championship, such dramatic mood swings and vulnerability to external factors are undesirable. Champions like Schumacher, Alonso, and Verstappen maintain a focused determination until the final race. Until Leclerc develops a more stable mindset, he may lack the champion’s aura needed to contend for the title. To succeed at Ferrari, the young driver will need time to accumulate experience and maturity.
That concludes today’s discussion on Leclerc. If you enjoyed this article, please consider subscribing and liking. If you have a different perspective, feel free to leave a comment.
