Love wounds. The kind that lingers. Charles Leclerc’s career with Ferrari is marked by scars. The first one was during his second race of the 2019 Formula 1 season in Bahrain, when the car broke down while he was leading. He has taken several blows over five seasons. The most recent, however, hurt him deeply and could have lasting implications on an already strained relationship.
More details have emerged about the setback in Brazil: his excursion off-track during the formation lap was triggered by an early warning about the engine, which activated the autoprotection system and turned off the power unit to prevent damage. Initial analyses suggest that the unit can be reused, but certainty will only come when it reaches Las Vegas (where it is headed from São Paulo, along with other materials) for the race on November 19.
In the meantime, Charles Leclerc will have processed his anger but not his doubts, which he has confided to a select circle, about the prospects of becoming a world champion with Ferrari in the near future. The withdrawal in São Paulo came at a delicate moment, as the first discussions for the contract extension beyond 2024 have begun. This is the most significant agreement, which should bind him to the team where he has grown since his early days. The Monegasque driver feels ready to fight for the World Championship — as he demonstrated last year at the start of the season with a competitive car — but confidence in the rejuvenation project led by Fred Vasseur must be fueled by concrete signs. However, the end of this season is adding problem upon problem, dimming the shine of the Maranello team’s sole success (Carlos Sainz’s victory at the Marina Bay street circuit in Singapore).
The reliability issues are more concerning than the lack of performance. Two retirements before the start in the last 4 races (Carlos Sainz in Qatar) and one disqualification (Charles Leclerc at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin) are not standard in Formula 1, let alone for Scuderia Ferrari. Pressure, unpreparedness, tactical errors, even from Charles Leclerc, and a string of losses with deep roots all explain this, including the sad streak of poles not converted into victories: 11 in a row for car number 16 between 2022 and 2023. Changing mid-course is possible, even with regulations as restrictive as these, as demonstrated by McLaren. “From another planet,” Carlos Sainz said. The team under former Andrea Stella had accumulated 17 points in the first 8 races, but now, following a radical overhaul and the addition of high-caliber technical staff, it has become the anti-Red Bull.
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The 2024 Formula 1 season will be the make-or-break year for Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, who has informally confided that he lacks the right people around him. His first mission is to convince Charles Leclerc, with actions. There would be no shortage of offers for the Monegasque driver, and losing him would be another defeat.
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