via Getty
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 15: Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Ferrari talks with Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto in the garage during practice for the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit on March 15, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images)
via Getty
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 15: Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Ferrari talks with Ferrari Team Principal Mattia Binotto in the garage during practice for the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit on March 15, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Charles Coates/Getty Images)
In the headlines of the dramatic rivalry on top of the table in 2021, many may not notice the fact that Ferrari is making a comeback. The Italian giants have suffered a free fall in the last few years. Yet, during those seasons of hopelessness, a star emerged for Ferrari. A sliver of hope who could very well be their next world champion – Charles Leclerc.
And this, even Team Principal Mattia Binotto agrees.
In a recent interview, Ferrari’s boss compared the Monegasque to the likes of Ferrari legends like Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso and Gilles Villeneuve. Binotto described that Leclerc’s winning mentality invokes the same feeling among the Tifosi as the fearless Gilles Villeneuve once did.
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Binotto believes that this will become even more apparent when Leclerc starts winning the world championship titles.
“I always have in mind Monza 2019 and its defense against Hamilton, or the one against Max at Silverstone,” Binotto said.
Mattia Binotto: "If we look at the Tifosi today, certainly @Charles_Leclerc is reflecting that [Gilles Villeneuve] type of spirit. And no doubt that will become even more true when he will start winning championships!"#F1 #GPRacing pic.twitter.com/Yqh11wyzn8
— Charles Leclerc Fan Page (@LeclercNews) November 26, 2021
Binotto puts Charles Leclerc ahead of teammate Carlos Sainz
Ferrari’s team principal clarified that it’s Leclerc who is ahead in the pecking order at Maranello ahead of his teammate Carlos Sainz.
Sainz, who is in his first season at Ferrari, is undoubtedly a very talented driver. But whenever Ferrari shifts into the gears worthy of a championship, it’ll be Leclerc in the driving seat.
“We have invested in him for the long term because we are fully convinced that he will be the man who will become the next world champion. If and when Ferrari produces a car capable of fighting for the title, Charles Leclerc will lead this campaign.”
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Italian Grand Prix – Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Monza, Italy – September 10, 2021 Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. during qualifying REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini
Even Carlos Sainz himself recently spoke of the superiority of his teammate’s talent. Sainz described Leclerc as not only faster but also having a good work ethic that makes him ‘the best in qualifying’.
“There’s probably nobody more talented than Charles on a dry lap in a Ferrari,” Sainz said.
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“He is one of the greatest, if not the greatest present in F1 today.”
It’s no secret that Ferrari has plans for a big stride in 2022. Only time will tell how that materializes for the team.
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One thing is for sure, Ferrari is confident that Leclerc is a once-in-a-generation talent.
Also Read: Good News for the Tifosi As F1 Teases Return to Ferrari’s Base at Mugello
