“Charles Is Not the Problem”: Ferrari Given a Bitter Reality Check as Talented Leclerc Gets Backing From Former Scuderia Legend

Post the disaster that unfolded over the Australian GP weekend, a dejected Charles Leclerc took a leaf out of Taylor Swift’s song, echoing the emotion of, “I am the problem. It’s me.” But an ex-Ferrari legend has denied that self-depreciation and come out to blame the team. The said yesteryear’s Scuderia man saw the Maranello outfit botch his race and with it his championship dreams with the worst pit stops of all time in the 2008 Singapore GP. Knowing the capabilities of Ferrari’s follies, he has now come forward, understanding the plight of the struggling Monegasque.

Leclerc, who finished only second to Max Verstappen has only 6 points in his tally so far. 2 DNFs in 3 races may mean that the talented Leclerc may not even dream of the 2023 title. While the man had Ferrari miscommunication trash his Australia qualifying, he had a lap 1 incident at Albert Park which saw him bow out of the race. As the Monegasque took the blame on himself for the disastrous qualifying, Felipe Massa, the ex-Ferrari legend, has come out to shield him.

As quoted by Gazzetta, Massa, blaming Ferrari’s incompetence, said, “Charles is not the problem, and the press is wrong if they criticize him. A mistake in the first lap, when you’re fighting in the mix, can happen. Especially if you don’t have a competitive car and you have to start from the back.” [Translated by Google]

Read More: “Disaster Ferrari Weekend”: Salt Rubbed in Charles Leclerc’s Wound After Unfortunate “Inchident” Leaving Fans Frustrated

While the age-old Ferrari mistakes can be blamed for tarnishing Charles’ title dreams, he does have a weak point that may always put him behind Verstappen.

Emotional Charles Leclerc is not where he is supposed to be

According to the host of the Red Flags podcast, apart from Leclerc’s careless driving, it was also because of his continued frustrations with the team. In fact, it is the emotional aspect, which Leclerc tries to control, that is the key factor keeping him a step behind Verstappen. The host said, “I think Charles has been done dirty. I think he has had a really tough string of luck. But I really think he’s kind of.. I’m not liking what I’m seeing from him.”

The host continued his analysis. He said, “You are kind of pissing in the one place where you actually have a chance. I think what happens is Charles Leclerc sometimes, we’ve seen this before, is that he drives on tilt. He’s not where he’s supposed to be, so he drives emotionally.” He further added, “You are fast over one lap but there are these moments where I feel like you (Charles Leclerc) drive emotionally.” 

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Do you think Charles Leclerc can ever hope for a title run with Maranello?