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Charles Leclerc Lacks In One Area Against Carlos Sainz Ahead Of 2023 Title Challenge

Tejas Venkatesh
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Charles Leclerc Lacks In One Area Against Carlos Sainz Ahead Of 2023 Title Challenge

Charles Leclerc started off as a title contender in the early part of 2022. But as the season progressed, he and Ferrari were no match for Red Bull and Max Verstappen who swooped the title away from them.

The Monegasque is hoping to be back in the title fight in 2023. And the Tifosi will be praying he delivers the team their 16-year-long awaited Drivers championship medal, but that’s not as easy as it sounds.

Leclerc has long been touted to be Ferrari’s next World Champion. But in order to achieve the ultimate prize in 2022, he would be facing a tough battle with teammate Carlos Sainz.

Also Read: Charles Leclerc & Pierre Gasly Highjack NBA’s Social Media Handle Before Posing With Tony Parker & Joakim Noah

Charles Leclerc lacks leadership while Carlos Sainz doesnt

Charles Leclerc has often been criticised for being a soft-spoken driver who lacks certain leadership traits. His inability to command in-race or lack of criticism of his team’s errors have been noted as major flaws.

Ferrari’s comical errors did cost Leclerc a crucial amount of points. But Leclerc has never uttered any critical remark over the team radio. Nor has he been able to demand a particular strategy for the pit wall.

Instead, he has often highlighted his own mistakes in self-critical remarks over the team radio. While teammate Carlos Sainz has often clarified his opinions over the radio with no hesitation.

And in case he wishes to opt for a different strategy, he has put his will ahead. For example, Sainz overruled Ferrari’s team orders to grab his maiden race win in Silverstone.

Or during the Brazilian GP Qualifying, where he actively chose to go out on slicks. While Leclerc was forced to take Intermediates, effectively ruining his session.

Despite having a better one-lap speed, Leclerc couldn’t convert his pole positions to race wins. While Carlos Sainz has shown his skill to adapt to races and provide consistent results. However, the Spaniard’s 6 retirements, caused mostly due to reliability issues and driver errors hurt his campaign.

Also Read: Charles Leclerc’s 2023 Car Records One Second Faster Time Than F1-75 As They Step Up Their Title Chase

Can Fred Vasseur’s incoming aid Leclerc’s title hopes

2023 begins with a change in leadership at Ferrari. Former Sauber Team Principal Fred Vassuer has been appointed Ferrari’s boss. And this would bring a sigh of relief to Charles Leclerc.

Leclerc debuted in F1 in Vasseur’s Sauber. And prior to that, he raced with ART racing which was cofounded by Vassuer and Nicholas Todt, Leclerc’s manager.

Having a familiar face leading the team will be breath of fresh air for Charles. But the Monegasque’s problems won’t be solved. He needs to adapt and own the position of their main driver.

Ferrari has had a long list of drivers like Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel who never hesitated on their voices being heard. These drivers were notorious for asserting their interests and commanding strategies likewise.

2023 will be Leclerc’s fifth season at Ferrari. And having been associated with the Italian team for a while he knows how to blend with its demands and internal issues.

In order to step up to the requirements of his team’s title hopes, Leclerc must be more assertive. Or his team might find a ‘No.1’ driver in his teammate.

Also Read: Frederic Vasseur Calls For Urgency In Charles Leclerc Renewing His Ferrari Contract Amid Mercedes Interest

About the author

Tejas Venkatesh

Tejas Venkatesh

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Tejas Venkatesh is a Motorsports writer at The SportsRush. He started watching F1 in 2007 and fell in love with the sound of the revving V8s. A technical nerd, tejas loves to nerd over the technical beauty only motorsports can achieve. He calls himself a Vettel fanboy and spent the night crying after Hockenheim 2018. Apart from F1, Tejas is an avid Chelsea Fan and loves football.

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