Ferrari‘s legacy in F1 is indisputable. It’s difficult for a team to survive a couple of years in Formula One, let alone seven decades, and become synonymous with the sport. But carrying on this legacy is very much dependent on how the drivers perform. And oh my, what a piece of luck the Prancing Horse has had with the drivers. In modern times, Michael Schumacher has been the ruler of the circuits for the team, with Charles Leclerc declared as his heir and the “golden boy” who will bring back glory to Maranello. Now, this belief is growing after Leclerc drove Schumacher’s F2003 V10 around Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit.
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The drive came 20 years after Michael drove it to the championship. During his run, Jean Todt, the then Ferrari team boss, who was behind the team’s six constructors’ titles in a row and Michael Schumacher’s five drivers’ titles, was also present. Speaking about his experience, Leclerc tweeted, “What a day!”
Fans react to Charles Leclerc driving F2003
Charles Leclerc reminded the Tifosi of the glorious days that the team had, but also served as a reminder of what they are capable of achieving. In the same car that Leclerc took out for a spin, Schumacher won five races to go on to win the title.
Don’t care if it’s slower. It’s sounds faster. It sounds scary. It sounds how racing cars should sound. https://t.co/TQMk5BmCwe
— Will Buxton (@wbuxtonofficial) February 6, 2023
Re-sharing Leclerc’s tweet, F1’s voice, Will Buxton wrote, “Don’t care if it’s slower. It’s sounds faster. It sounds scary. It sounds how racing cars should sound”
Smaller. Lighter. Louder. Let’s get them back
— Vincenzo Landino (@vincenzolandino) February 6, 2023
Give me that engine noise any day of the week
— The Hi-Fi Rush Choc (@noreasonspec) February 6, 2023
I'm willing to bet he can beat a time set with a 2023 car, thanks to the tyres.
— Pieter W. Prinsloo (@WatchPieter) February 6, 2023
the v10 HAS to comeback man that sound is just 😮💨 https://t.co/CbKC2qMcr6
— aaron (@aron_2k) February 6, 2023
And as the car revved, the sound of the V10 engine had the fans drooling.
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And many said that even though the speed of the F2003 isn’t on par with the current cars, they are willing to make a sacrifice for the sound, size, performance, and competitiveness of the V10 beast.
Sounds faster and the smaller dimensions just make it looks so much faster and the lighter cars were nimble and would dance around the circuit, it is just better.
— Darren Bentley 🧡 (@mrpulsef1) February 6, 2023
I did not grow up watching formula 1, I only started paying attention to it around 2015.
But still I can't help but wonder where it went wrong. How did they have this and lose it. https://t.co/795WVJNCbJ
— 𝘑𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘻 (@JamesDG75) February 7, 2023
THAT SOUND 🤤🥵😰 https://t.co/rJoxHe8WM3
— Andrew. (@_Nepoznat_) February 6, 2023
How far we've fallen… https://t.co/I9c0CnaAPo
— Nathan (@KensethFan17_20) February 7, 2023
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Open petition to bring this sound back! #F1 https://t.co/wZnGEfdTm8
— Out Lap F1 Podcast🇺🇸 (@OutLapF1Podcast) February 6, 2023
The onboard angle, although it looked terrifying to many, was undoubtedly declared more fun to look at. However, the cars back then, which looked beautiful, lacked several safety measures, which put the life of drivers in danger.
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Without a doubt, Charles Leclerc commanded the car and drove it with the flair that a Ferrari driver, and indeed a potential world champion, requires. The driver has the Tifosi on his side and just needs a great car as well. All he needs now is consistency and belief to get the team’s first championship since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007.