Tying himself to Ferrari for another five years, Charles Leclerc would face a pivotal crossroads in his Formula One career, hoping to become the new Kimi Räikkönen but risking winning nothing like Jean Alesi. The Finnish driver is, in fact, the last one to have brought the world title to Maranello in the distant year of 2007. The Frenchman, on the other hand, concluded his Ferrari adventure in 1996 without realizing the coveted championship dream.
“If Charles Leclerc renews with Ferrari, he will be making a life choice, after which he will either be the new Jean Alesi or the new Kimi Räikkönen (that is, a world champion with the Prancing Horse),” writes Leo Turrini on his Profondo Rosso blog for Quotidiano Nazionale.
Almost certainly, even 2023 will not deliver the long-awaited world title into Charles Leclerc’s hands. The Monegasque, entering his fifth Formula One season with Ferrari, has never had the opportunity to compete for the championship until the end, not aided by cars that have been decidedly less competitive compared to Mercedes and Red Bull.
The only exception was 2022 when the number 16 established himself as the leader in the championship with the F1-75 in the first part of the season, only to succumb to the dominance of the Max Verstappen-Red Bull combination due to a combination of power unit failures and some poor strategical choices from the Maranello pitwall.
According to Italian journalist Leo Turrini, furthermore, Carlos Sainz should also stay in Maranello and continue the partnership with Charles Leclerc that began in 2021: “Carlos is rightfully ambitious. He doesn’t consider himself inferior to Charles. I would keep him. Of course, offers are not lacking, although not from top teams. At least not yet.” – he pointed out.
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“If you could choose between one of the Ferrari drivers and Lewis Hamilton, however, obviously I would take Hamilton instead of Carlos Sainz if he were available.”
Both contracts of the Ferrari drivers will expire at the end of the upcoming Formula One season. While Charles Leclerc’s renewal seems to be in advanced negotiations, Carlos Sainz’s situation is slightly different. Both sides have expressed the desire to continue together. Nevertheless, rumors suggest a purported pre-contract signed with Audi for 2025.
Source: f1ingenerale
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