Ayrton Senna was the icon when the oldies of the current F1 Grid grew up. Both Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton highly rate Senna and grew up watching him win races. Lewis Hamilton paid a perfect tribute to Senna in Brazil. However, that special gesture has now come to bite Ferrari as an F1 legend’s son expressed his disappointment over Ferrari and Charles Leclerc. What did Leclerc and Ferrari do? And how is Lewis Hamilton putting them to shame?
Charles Leclerc arrived at the Canadian GP with a special tribute for the Canadian F1 Legend, Gilles Villeneuve. The Ferrari driver posted pictures of a special tribute helmet for Villeneuve that he chose to run for the GP in Montreal this weekend. Little did Leclerc know that the helmet design was trademarked by the Villeneuve family. Leclerc was informed by Jacques Villeneuve about the same. As a result, the Monegasque and Ferrari had to take permission from the family.
While the family was fine with Leclerc using the design to pay tribute to Villeneuve, they pointed out how the team and the driver did not take permission or even inform the family about it. The Scuderia was further put to shame when the family used Lewis Hamilton’s example when he paid tribute to Ayrton Senna with his special helmet. The Villeneuve family advised that the 7X World Champion had taken prior permission from the Senna family.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
According to Motorsport.com, Jacques Villeneuve said, “And when Lewis [Hamilton] wore Ayrton Senna’s helmet the family was involved, obviously, because it’s not just something you do like this.”
Ferrari and Charles Leclerc were let down by giving the Lewis Hamilton example. The Scuderia has been struggling on the track and even failed to do a simple thing like take permission. Amid all this, Ferrari had a horrific qualifying in Canada.
Ferrari’s blunders at the Canadian GP qualifying
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Saturday in Montreal was a day to forget about the Tifosi. Charles Leclerc was happy with the car after practice and was hoping for a good qualifying session. However, changing weather conditions meant Charles Leclerc went out in Q2 and will start P11. It wasn’t all down to the weather. At the start of Q2, the track seemed dry and Leclerc asked to pit for dry tires. However Ferrari refused and when he did pit, it was too late as rain struck the track again.
Carlos Sainz struggled as well and is under investigation for impeding Pierre Gasly in Q1, causing Alpine to not qualify for Q2. In a tricky Q3, Ferrari sent Carlos Sainz out behind many cars, and the Spaniard only managed P8 in a session affected by Red Flag.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Watch this story: $300,000 McLaren Legacy Dedicated to Ayrton Senna Craned into $39,000,000 Penthouse
Let’s wait and see if the Special Lid for Charles Leclerc brings any luck on Sunday.