Former Ferrari race engineer believes ‘Charles Leclerc’s entourage isn’t helping him”. Ex-Ferrari race engineer feels 'Charles' entourage isn't helping him.

Speaking in an exclusive interview for formula1.it, former Scuderia Ferrari F1 engineer Luigi Mazzola dwelt at length on the main events in Formula 1 and especially linked to the Maranello team, following a  disappointing start to the 2023 Formula 1 championship.

We offer you his most important comments and impressions on the moment Charles Leclerc is going through and on the updates that the Maranello team will bring to the track in the next rounds of the 2023 Formula 1 world championship.

Luigi Mazzola, Charlew Leclerc and the updates to the SF-23
After three races, in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Australia, Charles Leclerc has collected a disappointing total of six points. This is mainly due to two retirements, at the Bahrain International Circuit and the Albert Park track, alongside a seventh place finish in Saudi Arabia. “He has already shown that he can be fast and that he can win,” said Luigi Mazzola. However, he was keen to underline: “What I’ve noticed, however, is that the determination he shows on the track cannot be reproduced outside the car. In this respect, in my opinion, the entourage isn’t helping him. I think those who follow him haven’t figured out what Charles needs.”

Charles Leclerc’s situation goes hand in hand with the non-competitiveness of the SF-23 single-seater. And the comeback of the Monegasque will also pass through the improvements that will be made to the car. Luigi Mazzola was asked what Ferrari and Mercedes should do to counter Red Bull. He replied: “They have to take advantage of the break to improve their performance. The engine cannot be touched, so they will push on aerodynamics and suspension. And I expect everything: Ferrari has said it will bring new things; Mercedes will even bring a ” version B” of the car. Having said that, however, it must be considered that even Red Bull will not stand still”.

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Regarding what, specifically, the solutions that the Maranello team and the Silver Arrows could adopt, he commented: “We were saying that – apart from reliability – the engine cannot be improved. The suspensions and the mechanical balance of the car remain, understeer and oversteer. At the suspension level, we can work, so I expect that we will work. But what will have the most influence will be the increase in aerodynamic efficiency” – the former Ferrari man concluded.