Binotto Believes Charles Leclerc Can Save Ferrari Like Michael Schumacher

Ferrari has, once again, put all their weight behind Charles Leclerc by comparing him to the legendary Michael Schumacher. As if there was any more proof needed that they are fully invested in him since they decided to move on from Sebastian Vettel.

Team Principal Mattia Binotto foresees the German’s ability to lead the team during their successful era in the Monegasque. Michael was the core reason behind the Prancing Horse achieving multiple World Championship Titles.

He thinks that the fortunes of Ferrari similarly depend on him. “Charles is a lot younger to Michael at the time. He needs, as often, to develop as a team. The success of Ferrari tomorrow will be somehow dependent on the way he will behave as a leader himself.”

Schumacher came to the struggling outfit as a two-time World champion. Meaning he already had that experience unlike Leclerc, who came through their junior program and is just 23-years old. However, he believes that he is on the right path.

“But I think that while Michael was already a leader, Charles is developing as a leader, but is developing well.”

Can Charles Leclerc lead Ferrari back to the top like Schumacher?

Binotto thinks he can as there is a similar rebuild going on in the team like it was in the 90s. The Maranello outfit has been making notable changes in personnel in the last couple of years.

“I often compare it, I think there are similarities, no doubt,” said Binotto.

“Ferrari at the time, 1995 to 2000, was investing. We were investing as we are investing today, investing on technologies, but investing on people as well, employing young people and young engineers. If I look at Ferrari in the last years, we have employed a lot of young engineers, which today are starting to become our foundations.”

Ferrari is indeed laying all their eggs in his basket. He is fast, honest, and hard-working; qualities that the ‘Tifosi’ appreciate. However, let’s not forget that he’s just a two-time race winner and not a two-time World Champion like Schumacher was. The team has some catching up to do if they wish to compete with the powerhouse Mercedes again.