The 2019 Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be remembered for a big mistake in qualifying from Charles Leclerc and another failure from Ferrari to de-rail the Mercedes train. Paddock insider Will Buxton answered a questions from the fans on whether Charles Leclerc’s own harsh criticism could harm his Scuderia Ferrari performance in the start of the 2019 Formula One season:
“Oh, yes. Absolutely. He’s super hard on himself. Massively self-critical. But that’s part of what makes him the driver that he is.
You get three core types of racer at this level. You have the cocksure ones who, in their own eyes, are never in the wrong and don’t need to change anything about the way they go racing. You have those who are confident in their abilities and are okay with the mistakes that they make because, well, it’s not the end of the world and there’s always tomorrow. And then you have those who are aware that no matter how good they are today there’s always another level to be found. Charles falls into the last of these three, but his youth has perhaps not yet permitted him to find the initial measure to restrain the strong feelings of disappointment (and it is this and not anger that we are hearing) in himself. Particularly in vocalising them.
What’s fascinating, though, is the window it has opened up into how his mind works, and the level that his racing brain is already operating at. He knows precisely what’s required, but there are moments where his inexperience is still playing catch up with his ambition. What’s even more astonishing is his ability to take that externalised disappointment and move on from it. He will beat himself up in the moment, dwell on it and stew, but come in the next day fresh and revived. He won’t mention it again and you can be nigh on positive he won’t make the same mistake twice. It’s a lesson, written in the book and placed on a shelf. That, I’d say, is a tremendous strength.” – Will Buxton explained, as reported by Formula1.com.
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