While fans were excited for the circus to resume after a long summer break, the Tifosi seemed hesitant to see their team back on track. Taking the term circus a bit too seriously, the strategists in Red have once again come under the line of fire from F1 fans for their haphazard behavior with the title contender, Charles Leclerc.
As the Belgian GP settled down to hard and fast racing, Charles Leclerc’s journey from P15 soon saw him in P5. Having already lost a duel with Mercedes’ George Russell, surely Leclerc saw the 2022 title move further away from him.
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Before the race, Leclerc was 80 points behind the championship leader; the odds were already against him. To add to this, he had his team spew letters into his ears as the pace of the Red Bulls kept the Scuderia on its toes. Plan B, C, and D later, things soon took a weird turn as the strategists turned to their driver for advice…mid race.
Finally, being comfortable in a decent P5, Charles Leclerc pinged by the pit wall asking him what tires he’d prefer for his second pitstop. His radio engineer explained they needed to stop at that moment to get out of the pit lane ahead of Pierre Gasly into P12.
Just as confused as anyone, Leclerc replied, “Why would we stop now?”
Even given options between a set of fresh mediums or hards, clearly, the Prancing Horses are left weary of their poor tire choices in the past; resorting to taking a final decision from the driver himself. But while driving over 200mph, should the strategy be on Leclerc’s mind? After all, it is the pit wall with all the data…
Charles Leclerc backed by fuming Twitter Fans
Once again, Ferrari set off a ticking time bomb on the social media site. Fans were quick to diss the Scuderia for their unconfident approach to what is a crucial race for Leclerc’s run to the championship.
One fan even pointed out the dystopian nature of these airwaves- a recurring disappointment at every Grand Prix now.
That episode of Black Mirror where the guy is stuck for the rest of time listening to I Wish It Could Be Christmas, but instead it's Leclerc's radio exchanges with Ferrari
— Nate Saunders (@natesaundersF1) August 28, 2022
Despite going through the alphabet with their strategic plans, fans also found it amusing that the solution to their problems was with the driver itself.
Ferrari having all the data on the world asking what tires Leclerc wants until the end of the race
Must be the Plan C+3 pic.twitter.com/O3Mo8KUIQ5
— Fernando Alonso updates (@startonpole) August 28, 2022
Is plan D plan Do it yourself?
— Ilse (@F1Ilse) August 28, 2022
Regardless, the masses couldn’t help but roll their eyes at the men on the Ferrari pit wall.
Charles should hire Seb to be his race engineer. Seb would know what to do without asking him questions all the time.
— Ky (@FiftyBucksVT) August 28, 2022
That’s a lot of questions to be asking your driver… 🤦🏻♂️ #BelgianGP
— Vincenzo Landino (@vincenzolandino) August 28, 2022
Hi Charles do you want
— Mark Gallagher (@_markgallagher) August 28, 2022
Overall, the air of disappointment looms over the fans who can’t help but wonder if their Lord Percival will save face at the end of the season.
"They can't blame our strategists if we ask Charles to be the strategist" pic.twitter.com/4Y3pjw3o8C
— Battery Voltas (@BatteryVoltas) August 28, 2022
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WATCH THIS STORY: Not Max Verstappen or Charles Leclerc Red Bull Chief Picks This F1 Driver for Surprise of the Year
Ferrari haven't changed a single thing over summer, have they? #F1 #BelgianGP
— Thomas Maher (@thomasmaheronf1) August 28, 2022
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As Ferrari continues on their rocky path to perfecting its strategy execution, one can only hope that the team finds its footing soon. Better now than later for Charles Leclerc’s crumbling title dreams. Is there any hope left?