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)
Ferrari made a huge comeback this season, as they are not only leading the driver’s but also the constructors’ world championship. For this, the Maranello base needs to give credit to Charles Leclerc, who was able to bring out the best of the F1-75.
The Monegasque driver is one of the best young talents on the grid. He’s currently in phenomenal form and leading the 2022 drivers’ standings. With his magnificent winning spirit, Leclerc is often compared to the Ferrari legend Gilles Villeneuve. During his stint at the Maranello base, the Canadian legend won six races.
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The team principal, Mattia Binotto, revealed that there are differences between Charles and Gilles. Binotto claims that Gilles’s charm was his careless attitude towards strategy and tactics. So, Mattia couldn’t manage someone like Gilles and prefers Leclerc, who understands and follows strategy.
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Binotto reported, “Gilles was a brave driver, always sideways and to the limit. Talking about tactics and strategy with him had no meaning, and Enzo Ferrari fell in love with this. In comparison with today, luckily for me, I don’t have to manage someone like Gilles. Today with the riders, it’s easier; they understand what strategy is, how to manage the tires, these are all words that they use and understand.”
Hakkinen expressed his thoughts on Charles Leclerc and his Imola debacle
The Monegasque driver is flying this season. So far, he has bagged three podium finishes, including two wins and one P2 finish. He could have had four podiums, but lost the opportunity because of a miscalculated move at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
The Red Bull duo took the lead at Imola with Max Verstappen as race leader and Sergio Perez as runner-up. But Leclerc was closing to Checo and could have overtaken the Mexican or at least finished in P3.
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via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Emilia Romagna Grand Prix – Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy – April 24, 2022 Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc during the race REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini
However, the Ferrari man tried too hard to get at P2, and spun over a kerb at the Variante Alta chicane, dropping to P9. But he eventually recovered a few positions to finish P6. So, the two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen reminded Leclerc that he couldn’t win every race this season.
Hakkinen said, “Charles still has a big lead in the world championship, but this error is a reminder that you cannot win every race. Sometimes settling for second or third is the right strategy.”
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The 2022 world championship leader Charles Leclerc is gearing up for the Miami GP. Like every other driver, except Sergio Perez, it would be the first outing for the Ferrari man at the Miami International Autodrome. Let’s see how Leclerc performs in the inaugural Miami GP.
