All F1 teams have a driver they pay more attention to, we all know that. What we sometimes miss is that these numero unos have a massive force working behind the curtains. The crew, technicians, engineers, managers, and others work relentlessly to make their lead win a race. We’re no strangers to Max Verstappen‘s massive support within Red Bull. On the other hand, Charles Leclerc, despite being Ferrari’s center of attention, fails to capitalize on his advantages.

Observing this disparity in their performance, F1 pundit Tom Coronell has some opinions. Coronell points out how the Monaco GP was a cakewalk for Charles Leclerc. It isn’t easy to overtake around the Monte Carlo circuit. Had it been the case, do you think Max Verstappen wouldn’t have given a tough fight?

Max Verstappen vs Charles Leclerc: Who’s had a better run so far and why?

Tom Coronell put forth his observations before Formule1.nl. The F1 pundit said: “He [Leclerc] won the Monaco GP, his home race, but mainly because you can’t overtake anywhere there. But that’s where it will end. Ferrari is facing more than just car issues. Charles Leclerc doesn’t have a reliable engineer, which is significantly affecting his performance.” Monaco was the last time Ferrari managed to put up a good show. Since then, their performance has dropped considerably, especially for Leclerc, the situation has worsened.

Coronell added: “With Leclerc, you can just see that he doesn’t have the tools to get it all done. It’s quite simple: in Formula 1 too, the chain breaks at the weakest link. He is certainly not the weakest link. And he’s upset about the situation. Which is logical. On the other hand, you still have to get the most out of it. Max can maximize at Red Bull and his car isn’t top either.” The main issue with Ferrari currently is their crew. They lack balance which is directly affecting their drivers. On the other hand, Red Bull usually doesn’t change their race engineers. Max Verstappen has Gianpiero Lambiase, and we know what the duo is like.

Ferrari faces challenges beyond car issues, with Charles Leclerc struggling due to a lack of reliable team support. Leclerc needs to motivate and manage his team effectively, as it’s crucial for driver success. Coronell notes, “It is also an important quality of a driver to gather the right people around you and motivate them,” adding, “I don’t think Leclerc is doing badly. But I expect more from him.” Meanwhile, Max Verstappen, who remains the primary title contender, has extended his lead as Leclerc drops to third. The F1 community wonders if the Ferrari No.1 will rebound after the summer break or if Verstappen will continue his dominance.

Can Max Verstappen revive his dominance in the second half of the season?

Superhuman could be another name for Max Verstappen. Why? We’ll get to that gradually. His first half of 2024 hasn’t been too dominating. Although he’d won 7 out of the 14 races, Adrian Newey’s last model, the RB20, hasn’t been too effective. However, with 277 points, the Dutchman is way ahead of Lando Norris and others on the Driver’s standings. So can we expect a comeback? The simple answer is yes.

Verstappen has taken his ten-place grid penalty in Belgium. This means the 3x champ will have a new power unit. With no fear of exhaustion, Verstappen can now return to the tracks. And coincidentally, the first race post-holiday is his home race. The Dutchman would love to continue his winning streak in Zandvoort. However, given the tumultuous season Red Bull has experienced so far, their comeback isn’t assured. The team currently relies solely on Max Verstappen to turn the tables and win a race. And can he do that? That’s not even a question! On the other hand, it will become very crucial for Charles Leclerc to score points for Ferrari if he wants himself and his team to hibe title contenders.

The tasks are massive and the stakes are high. But the experience these drivers have will help them make a difference. Both Red and Ferrari believe in their No.1s, as they have always done their best to keep the teams in the main picture. Max wouldn’t want the Austrian team to be sidelined, and Leclerc would never want Tifosi to withdraw their trust. So, the situation ahead is tricky, but only these drivers can pull themselves out of it. Don’t you think so?