Charles Leclerc displays himself as a Ferrari loyalist. However, the former F1 champion Damon Hill, in an interview with Sky, opined Leclerc doesn’t have options outside Ferrari and is stuck with the Maranello-based team.
The Monegasque graduated from the ranks of Ferrari and soon established himself as the team’s star. With this, as Ferrari returned to vie for the championship, he was seen as their contender to spearhead them in the championship.
🎙️| Piero Ferrari on Charles Leclerc:
“Charles has the speed to be equal to Verstappen,”
“But he has less experience, in terms of number of GPs. Leclerc can still grow, he will grow.” pic.twitter.com/7wDzX8616j
— Ferrari News 🐎 (@FanaticsFerrari) May 21, 2023
However, neither Ferrari nor Leclerc has been successful in that mission. And now, with his contract with them coming to an end next year, there are contrasting reports on his stay. And obviously, until he signs a new agreement, his commitment to the team will be constantly questioned.
Charles Leclerc has no other option
Hill believes that while Leclerc is a good driver, he is stuck with Ferrari, as all top teams are stable with their lineups. Moreover, the 25-year-old’s unforced errors are working against his prospects outside Ferrari. Therefore, he has nowhere else to go.
“I think that Charles is blocked by Ferrari. Sometimes he has shone, but this has not been enough to be able to fight for the titles with continuity. And on the other hand, he continues to make mistakes, even in Qualifying,” said Hill.
Hill is surely speaking from his own experience when he fell out with Williams. When the 1996 world champion left the Grove-based team, no other top team was giving him a suitable offer, and he ended up settling with Arrows, which was a huge downgrade.
Toto Wolff proved Damon Hill right
Amidst the season, there were several reports of Leclerc getting cozy with Mercedes. However, Mercedes Toto Wolff quashed all the rumors in Miami and claimed that his team was not going after the Monegasque.
In fact, the Austrian finds the lineup of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell good enough to continue with. Meanwhile, Leclerc has also reiterated his loyalty to Ferrari when asked about his transfer rumors.
Toto Wolff on whether Leclerc needs to be under consideration if he’s available:
“Charles is a super guy and for the long-term future, someone you need to always have on your radar. And that’s clear.”
“But not for the short- and the medium-term.”#AzerbaijanGP pic.twitter.com/pXApHbzm4e
— Fastest Pitstop (@FastestPitStop) April 29, 2023
Though, at the same time, he admits Ferrari needs to do more to achieve its championship dreams. Nevertheless, 2023 isn’t going to be the year for that.
