“Charles Leclerc is the only driver who can truly challenge Max Verstappen” – former F1 driver. Former F1 driver Riccardo Patrese believes Charles Leclerc is the only driver capable of matching Max Verstappen.

For many observers, Charles Leclerc is now considered the only driver capable of performing at the same level as Max Verstappen. Former Formula 1 driver Riccardo Patrese explained why “the few times he makes mistakes, it’s because of…”, sharing his views on the Ferrari driver’s unique qualities.

Riccardo Patrese, a former Formula 1 driver, spoke about how Charles Leclerc possesses a special ability to remain among the very best even when his Ferrari does not fully support him. According to the Italian, the Ferrari driver is the only one capable of fighting for the title on equal terms with Max Verstappen. Patrese also shared some thoughts on the difficult period Lewis Hamilton has experienced in recent seasons.

Over the years, Leclerc and Verstappen have often been compared, despite having very different career records. On one hand, Red Bull has allowed the Dutch driver to win consistently and build enormous confidence. On the other, the Monegasque has almost always had cars that were never the clear benchmark and were often lacking in several key areas. Thinking about cars such as the SF-23 or the SF-25, it is easy to understand why it was impossible to fight regularly for victories with machinery of that level. Recently interviewed by Quotidiano Nazionale, Riccardo Patrese expressed his belief that Leclerc is the only driver capable of defeating the four-time world champion. He also offered a comment on Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari adventure.

Patrese: “Charles is hungry for wins, I understand his frustration”

“He is always in the fight, because through no fault of his own the team has never given him the right car. Charles is hungry for victories, and I understand his frustration. The few times he makes mistakes come from the enormous desire he has inside him,” said Patrese. “Even if the new champion is called Lando Norris, the only driver on the grid who, with an equal car, could really take on Verstappen, who is an absolute phenomenon, is precisely Charles.”

The Italian former driver then also commented on Lewis Hamilton: “What kind of car has he had available? Lewis has beaten every record in Formula 1. A driver like that needs a competitive car; otherwise, he loses confidence. Put Lewis in a Ferrari that is at least close to the strongest team, and you’ll see that he can still fight at the front.”

However, Ferrari will need to give both drivers the chance to fight for victories. The 678, whose official name has not yet been revealed, will be unveiled on January 23. Fréd Vasseur knows very well that this could be his last year in red if results do not improve. The new Maranello creation will also be known as the “first Ferrari of Loïc Serra.” The French technician has experimented with many concepts on a specific component, symbolizing the extensive work that has gone into the development of this car.

Ultimately, Riccardo Patrese’s analysis suggests that Charles Leclerc’s rare mistakes are a direct result of his overwhelming hunger to win in suboptimal machinery. By identifying Leclerc as the only true peer to Max Verstappen, Patrese places the responsibility squarely on Ferrari’s technical team to deliver a car for 2026 that allows both Leclerc and Hamilton to finally translate their elite talent into a sustained title challenge.