For a Ferrari driver, there is no such thing as a quiet day, and Charles Leclerc knows that better than anyone. The Monegasque has experienced a difficult spell in recent weeks, during which the only positive development has been the extension of his long-term commitment to the Scuderia.
Beyond that, the results have been disappointing. A spin in Miami was followed by an uneventful race weekend in Montreal, while accidents in Monaco and another crash at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya have further complicated his season. The impact on the championship standings has been significant: Charles Leclerc has scored no points in the last two race weekends and just 26 points across the previous four events.
Charles Leclerc chasing Lewis Hamilton
While Charles Leclerc has struggled to find momentum, Lewis Hamilton has been travelling in the opposite direction. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion recently secured his first victory with Ferrari and has built a 40-point advantage over his teammate in the standings.
According to former Formula 1 driver Riccardo Patrese, Charles Leclerc should use Lewis Hamilton’s current form as a reference point. In Patrese’s view, the Ferrari driver should not focus solely on adopting Lewis Hamilton’s preferred brake configuration but should also consider following the British driver’s setup direction.
Riccardo Patrese’s advice
“I think Charles is not out of the game yet. He has a fantastic, race-winning car and together with Lewis Hamilton they make a great team,” Riccardo Patrese said in an interview with BetBrothers – “When Charles fully rediscovers his strength and confidence, he can become a serious rival for Lewis, and he may even be slightly faster. Right now, Charles’ morale is very low. But he needs to recognize and appreciate the fact that Ferrari now has a car capable of winning Grands Prix, and he needs to calm down.”
The 1992 Formula 1 World Championship runner-up then suggested that Charles Leclerc should take advantage of the experience available on the other side of the Ferrari garage: “If he is not satisfied with certain aspects of the car, he should follow Lewis’ example. If he copies him, he will become faster. Back in 1993, Michael Schumacher, who was undoubtedly very quick, listened carefully during our debriefings when I spoke about the car setup and then copied my settings. After that, he would beat me.”
Riccardo Patrese concluded by emphasizing that learning from a teammate can often be a valuable tool for success in Formula 1.
“Sometimes you need to make use of your teammate’s experience in order to achieve results.”
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