Charles Leclerc: critics’ labels are outrageous lies and upcoming F1 seasons will prove it

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz have now been together in Formula 1 for four seasons. Often, criticism is based on stereotypes that are hard to remove from the minds of observers and professionals. A label is slapped on the unfortunate target, who, despite the evidence, struggles to shake it off. One of these concerns the Monegasque driver, who is unanimously considered a driver with unparalleled pure speed but still too immature to fight for the Formula 1 world championship title. When such an opinion is expressed by a reasonably successful driver in the most important motorsport series like David Coulthard, the conclusion is startling.

The Scotsman compared the Monegasque driver to a puppy that occasionally pees on the carpet. However, according to the former Red Bull driver, if Charles Leclerc manages to eliminate those small errors, Formula 1 will enter a new golden era. It is an unfortunate metaphor to highlight the difference between Max Verstappen and the Scuderia Ferrari driver. As mentioned at the beginning, the driver from Monaco is still seen as prone to mistakes and not yet capable of carrying the team in difficult moments, becoming a mere passenger in his team’s struggles.

In reality, a clear-headed, unbiased analysis should take several factors into account. Firstly, in the 144 Grands Prix raced with the Prancing Horse, how many times has the car truly been competitive at the highest level? Probably on few occasions compared to those where the Monegasque achieved success or a podium finish. This season, Charles Leclerc has shown greater maturity than in past years, especially in terms of race vision. Thanks to the qualities of the SF-24, a technical project geared towards better management of Pirelli tires, Charles Leclerc has been able to demonstrate his ability to adapt.

Consider that in 2024 he has taken only three pole positions, despite being considered one of the best in qualifying. Of the three victories this season, the only one achieved starting from pole position was in his home streets of Monaco. The other two, in the Italian Grand Prix at the Monza circuit and in Austin, were won starting from the second row through excellent tire management. The masterpiece in Monza, where Charles Leclerc managed to make only one pit stop and ran a 37-lap stint on hard tires, a strategy deemed a losing one even by the tire supplier.

The Monegasque driver is in his seventh season in the top category and is at the peak of his maturity. However, like all drivers, his results are tied to the competitiveness of the car. In past years, Charles Leclerc often made a mistake: trying to compensate solely with his left foot for the car’s lack of competitiveness. Today, he is a consistent driver who seeks to maximize the potential of the car and accepts, albeit reluctantly, results that don’t match his talent.

This article does not aim to defend the Scuderia Ferrari driver, as his results on the track are sufficient to demonstrate his talent and untapped potential. We are talking about a driver who is second to none in qualifying laps, skilled in wheel-to-wheel battles, and now capable of having a race vision that makes him very competitive even in the final stages of a race. It would be simplistic to say that the Monegasque only lacks the car, as this conclusion does not reflect reality. It is true that Ferrari has never built a car capable of competing for victory throughout an entire season.

However, during his time with Carlos Sainz, he has never managed to decisively outclass his Spanish teammate. Although consistent and skilled, Carlos Sainz is not considered an exceptional talent, and, on paper, there should not have been any contest between the two. For this reason, Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Maranello is a huge opportunity: to silence the critics once and for all by managing to beat the legend of the sport, who is still one of the few drivers capable of competing with the current benchmark in Formula 1, a certain Max Verstappen.

Some of the greatest drivers in F1 history only silenced their detractors when the car was up to their level of talent. Just think of Mika Hakkinen, who won his first race after 99 Grands Prix and clinched the driver’s title eight seasons after his debut, with a total of 115 races under his belt, when there were “only” sixteen events on the calendar. Charles Leclerc is a smart young man, and as such, he welcomed Lewis Hamilton’s arrival with enthusiasm, as he knows that by getting the better of the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, he will be recognized as a top driver, with or without a world title.