Max Verstappen’s return to the front has reopened the debate over just how much of a difference the Dutch driver makes, but former Ferrari engineer Luigi Mazzola believes putting the reigning star in the current Ferrari would not produce better results than Charles Leclerc.
The Max Verstappen factor returns to the Formula 1 debate
Max Verstappen and Red Bull have once again taken control of the Formula 1 World Championship. The 2026 season had appeared cursed and short on satisfaction for both the Dutch driver and the Milton Keynes team. Just when everything suggested that their attention would shift entirely towards 2027, the combination that dominated Formula 1 from 2021 to 2024 — and came close to completing a remarkable comeback one year ago — returned to the top in Malaysia and Singapore.
The Singapore victory, helped by an impressive move at the start after another less-than-perfect launch, reopened the debate over how much of Red Bull’s resurgence can be attributed to Max Verstappen himself. The competitive picture has changed significantly in recent rounds, with Ferrari also trying to respond through further development of the SF-26. Charles Leclerc has already pushed for continued progress, with Ferrari’s upcoming Austin upgrades expected to provide another important indication of the car’s remaining potential.
Luigi Mazzola backs Charles Leclerc against Max Verstappen comparison
During Sky’s Race Anatomy programme, opinions differed over the role Max Verstappen could play at Ferrari. Ivan Capelli and Riccardo Patrese argued that Ferrari is missing a driver such as Max Verstappen in order to win, but former Ferrari engineer Luigi Mazzola disagreed with that assessment.
“Verstappen did well at the start, but he also has a car and brakes that allow him to make those moves. Just think about the overtake on Hamilton in Hungary,” Luigi Mazzola said. “But in my opinion Verstappen would not do better than Leclerc behind the wheel of this Ferrari. With the right car, Leclerc is perfectly capable of winning.”
Luigi Mazzola’s assessment places the emphasis on the machinery available rather than suggesting that Ferrari’s results are primarily being limited by Charles Leclerc. The Monegasque driver’s performances, together with Ferrari’s continuing work on the SF-26, remain central to the team’s attempt to close the gap at the front. Further updates on the driver can be followed in the Charles Leclerc Ferrari news section, while the development of the car is covered through ScuderiaFans’ Ferrari technical analysis.
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