Everything has been said about the two Ferrari drivers. Just think of the very first part of the 2024 Formula 1 championship. In the first few races, Carlos Sainz was in great shape. The Spaniard showed a truly exceptional form which, however, apparently did not last long. Just to be clear, with this valid point we do not want to argue that Carlos Sainz is better or worse than his Maranello teammate Charles Leclerc. Ours is not a direct comparison between the two, especially because it would be useless and it would make little sense to do so. However, it is undeniable that his performance has dropped in the last few rounds. The Spaniard remains a truly excellent driver and to a certain extent we may miss his contribution in years to come.
Returning to Charles Leclerc, well, what can we say about him. The numbers in Formula 1 are speaking quite clearly. Let’s highlight one that perhaps few people know about. It concerns a statistic regarding the pole positions of the historic Ferrari team. The Maranello team, keeping in mind the race starts from 2008 to the present day, which means a period of 15 years, has started from the number one spot 50 times, 24 thanks to the performance of the Monegasque driver. Ultimately the data could be seen as an end in itself, as we are talking about pure statistics which did not bring even a single point to the Prancing Horse’s rankings.
However, the number in question, if it were still needed, underlines its intrinsic ability to optimize a a flying lap. Talent added to the ability to exploit the opportunity in the crucial moment, when the concentration is maximum, the adrenaline rises and every small detail, however insignificant it may be, marks the difference between a “champion” and an excellent driver. We dare to call Charles Leclerc a champion, despite the fact that only those who boast of a world championship title can and should be addressed with this word. We believe this is right.
Returning to the current Formula 1 season, examining the numbers of the recent winner of the Monaco Grand Prix, the results of each race and the drivers’ world ranking in hand ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix, it is clear that Charles Leclerc is Max Verstappen’s main challenger and perhaps the only true driver of the series, who in 2024 could be capable of putting a lot of pressure on the reigning three-time Formula 1 world champion. Charles Leclerc’s worst results so far are three fourth place finishes, which have been recorded at the Bahrain International Circuit, in the Japanese Grand Prix and in the Chinese Grand Prix. The Monegasque driver was third at the Jeddah Corniche Circuit in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, second behind his Ferrari teammate at the Albert Park circuit in in Australia, third in Miami, third at the Imola circuit in Italy and finally first on the streets of Monaco in Monte Carlo. We are therefore talking about five podiums which make him, after Max Verstappen, not considering the forced retirement in Melbourne due to brake disk problems, the most consistent driver on the grid in the first half of the 2024 Formula 1 campaign.
F1, Ferrari: Leclerc consistent, Sainz crucial
Charles Leclerc’s recent historic triumph in front of his home crowd has something magical about it. A victory desired since Thursday when, on his bike from his house, he went to the “circuit” through the streets of the Principality. In this competitive context, Charles Leclerc made a mental leap. A step that has been present since the interviews on media day anticipating the Monte Carlo race weekend. However, the Ferrari driver wanted to reiterate one fact. His approach to racing remains the same as always, because he is not interested in finishing second and the only result that truly satisfies him remains only one: crossing the finish line aboard the Ferrari car before everyone else.
Consistency of thought that is on par with the goals achieved so far in this Formula 1 championship. We know well that Max Verstappen remains the favorite to win another Drivers championship title this year: he has the best car, even if the Red Bull RB20 is slightly imperfect and no longer as dominant as last season, he has a team behind him that is used to winning and is capable of taking advantage in complicated situations and lastly, but certainly no less important, he has great talent when he puts his hands on the steering wheel of his Red Bull. A really strong RB20 that will be updated again in the coming weeks.
Nonetheless, Scuderia Ferrari is decidedly close to the Milton Keynes team, even more than was expected before the start of the championship. Just like McLaren, another F1 team capable of achieving a truly significant leap in performance. Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur estimated the gap between the Maranello team and Red Bull in the order of just one tenth. Given that it remains to be verified in the next races, which if confirmed in the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix, makes us think of various key aspects. First of all, such a scenario brings a very subtle balance to the track that can be shifted thanks to the ability to fine-tune the car’s set-up. Furthermore, in similar cases, the vehicle’s flexibility comes into play in adapting to different track layouts.
Within this competitive context there is a very important element, which is crucial in order to have a clearer picture. We are talking about uniformity of results, because the championship still includes 16 stages and anything can happen. For this reason, race by race, Ferrari must always try to obtain the maximum even when Red Bull has the better car, while at the same time taking risks with reason because, in order to keep alive the flame of hope of finishing ahead of Red Bull in the constructors’ championship, taking advantage of an often fluctuating and error-prone Checo Perez, every single little point nibbled on can be useful.
There are 24 points that currently divide Ferrari from Red Bull ahead of the Montreal weekend and there are so many points available in the remaining 16 Formula 1 world championship events. The Maranello team can count on two strong and well-prepared drivers who, as Frederic Vasseur himself recently announced, are fighting each other to push themselves to the very top. Which is why Carlos Sainz’s impact on this world championship should not be underestimated at all. The French team principal is very well aware of this situation and so far has shown that he knows how to handle this key aspect very well. Carlos Sainz has the expiration date on his back. We know it. Yet there are no particular advantages to be seen for those who remain in the saddle.
Frederic Vasseur’s approach to this status borders on perfection. The French manager always knows what to say, not only in the secret meeting rooms but also in front of the cameras when interviewed by the media, both in positive and negative circumstances in terms of result for the Italian side. A safe approach, without too many turns of useless and easily misinterpretable comments, as was often times the case under the leadership of former Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto. An attitude that is on par with the coherence behind the wheel that Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc try to carry forward by making their maximum effort each race weekend. Frederic Vasseur is keeping the relationship between Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc as strong as possible, a highly necessary union in order to continue to nourish the dream of winning the 2024 Formula 1 Constructors’ championship, a dream which although difficult, is not completely impossible.
Source: FUnoanalisitecnica
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