Ferrari no longer with a lead driver
Several times in the last 25 years, Scuderia Ferrari has relied on a clear first and second driver scheme, starting with Michael Schumacher, who had Eddie Irvine, Rubens Barrichello, and Felipe Massa as wingmen. This pattern continued with Fernando Alonso, who had Felipe Massa as a support driver, and Sebastian Vettel, who had Kimi Raikkonen by his side.
In some seasons, like in 2007 and 2008, Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa started the championship on equal terms and indeed mutually supported each other in their respective title fights. Since Charles Leclerc arrived at Maranello in 2019, the Monegasque driver has never held the title of team captain, both in the two-year collaboration with Sebastian Vettel and the three-year partnership with Carlos Sainz.
Charles Leclerc – Carlos Sainz on equal terms next year
Comparison in numbers
Leclerc | Sainz | |
2021 | Wins: 0 Pole: 2 Podiums: 1 Points: 159 Position: 7th |
Wins: 0 Pole: 0 Podiums: 4 Points: 164.5 Position: 5th |
2022 | Wins: 3 Pole: 9 Podiums: 11 Points: 308 Position: 2nd |
Wins: 1 Pole: 3 Podiums: 9 Points: 246 Position: 5th |
2023 | Wins: 0 Pole: 5 Podiums: 6 Points: 206 Position: 5th |
Wins: 1 Pole: 2 Podiums: 3 Points: 200 Position: 7th |
Total | Wins: 3 Pole: 16 Podiums: 18 Points: 673 |
Wins: 2 Pole: 5 Podiums: 16 Points: 610.5 |
While the two drivers are negotiating the renewal of their contracts expiring in December 2024, team principal Frederic Vasseur emphasized the desire not to designate a lead driver: “This year we demonstrated that we reserve the same treatment for both drivers. Singapore is the best example. Charles agreed to start on soft tires to get ahead of George Russell and block him, and when we asked him to slow down, he did. Together they did an excellent job. Carlos was in great shape after the summer break between Monza and Singapore. Probably, this is also the reason for Charles’s good results at the end of the year, taking it as motivation.” – the French manager pointed our.
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Fred Vasseur’s analysis, shared with journalists during the traditional Christmas lunch at Ferrari, leads to only one conclusion – the absence of a designated lead driver in the 2024 Formula One championship: “I want to continue in this direction, without differences in treatment. We have two cars and two drivers. They have collected almost the same points throughout the year. I consider it an additional sign that we have provided them with the same tools, the same freedom, and the same strategic approach to races.” – the Ferrari team boss concluded.
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