The case for Germanys four-time champion not being No 1 with the Scuderia next season is overwhelmingAlready beaten and bloody from a punishing season, Ferrari completed Paul Wellers Eton triumvirate by emerging from the Brazilian Grand Prix with sick down their shirt. Heading into the winter to regroup, the very last thing the Scuderia needed was for their drivers to clash on track and bring to a premature head the problem the team have in how they manage Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc next season. Indeed, what Brazil demonstrated is that they may have a problem that is simply intractable.At Interlagos the two drivers were set for a solid points finish when they came together battling for fourth. Leclerc had...
Red Bulls Max Verstappen was flawless at Interlagos, altitude sickness for Mercedes and a happy birthday for HondaWhat a difference a year makes. Max Verstappen, after his travails at this race last year, where he was hit by Esteban Ocon while leading, could not have delivered a more impressive performance. Since his crash in practice at Monaco last year he has returned a more complete driver. Red Bulls team principal, Christian Horner, has praised how far he has come and believes he has the ability to beat Lewis Hamilton in a straight fight. On this evidence it would be an unmissable battle. Weaknesses remain qualifying at Mexico was a glaring error but in Brazil he was calm, controlled and flawless...
A battle for supremacy between teammates is troubling Ferrari after the meltdown in Sochi and all eyes will be on Suzuka this weekend to see if it can be rectifiedIf there was ever a doubt that a racing driver’s first priority is to beat his teammate, it was dispelled one March afternoon at Melbourne’s Albert Park. The 1996 Australian Grand Prix was half done when Jacques Villeneuve came out of the pits just behind the race leader, Damon Hill.“There he is,” said the voice on Villeneuve’s radio. “Go and get him!” Related: The knocks keep coming at Ferrari but Charles Leclerc is learning fast | Giles Richards Related: Ferrari create 'a war' while F1 continues to meddle with the rules...
The Scuderia’s meltdown in Russia was latest tough lesson for Leclerc but he shows every sign of being formidable F1 forceHad Charles Leclerc not pursued a career in motor racing, it would be reasonable to assume that this thoughtful and intelligent 21-year-old might instead have recently completed a degree. Racing rather than academia always beckoned for Leclerc but right now, in the pressure-cooker environment of driving for Ferrari, this young driver is learning an awful lot of lessons. Every indication is that they are being taken to heart, forging a formidable character.At last weekend’s Russian Grand Prix, Ferrari’s plan to govern their drivers through the opening corners fell apart publicly and with lasting ramifications. With Leclerc on pole and his...
Struggles look ominous for Ferrari leader as teammate Charles Leclerc goes past him in the F1 drivers’ championshipHis title hopes long gone, after a disastrous race in Monza, Sebastian Vettel now faces a battle just to beat his teammate. Charles Leclerc’s win put him ahead of the German into fourth. Vettel’s problem is that his touch seems to have deserted him. Much was rightly made of his unsafe return to the track but Vettel’s long-term issue was illustrated by the spin that precipitated it. The unforced error in losing the rear at Ascari was yet another mistake to add to the others that have increasingly blighted his performances. Related: Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc delights Italian F1 GP crowd with Monza win...