In recent years, there has been much discussion about whether Leclerc possesses the qualities of a world champion. In my opinion, Leclerc is undoubtedly world champion material, demonstrating the capability to handle the immense pressure associated with achieving this title. However, certain crucial elements must align for his dream of becoming a world champion to materialize. This article will delve into these essential aspects.
What Does Leclerc Need to Address in Order to Become a World Champion?
Leclerc’s speed as a driver is impressive, and I consider him the fastest qualifier on the current grid, surpassing even world champions like Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, and Max Verstappen. However, it’s important to acknowledge that accumulating pole positions alone won’t secure him the title of world champion. To achieve this, he must address and minimize the mistakes he occasionally makes during race days and qualifying sessions.
Leclerc has faced challenges with driver errors leading to crashes in both races and qualifying sessions. Notably, in the 2023 Dutch Grand Prix, he experienced a Q3 crash and made contact with Oscar Piastri on lap 1 of the race, highlighting instances where errors impacted his performance.
He also spun his Ferrari into the barrier with a trip over the kerbs when he was chasing Redbull driver Sergio Perez in the 2022 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
During the 2022 French Grand Prix, Leclerc was in the lead before his race concluded abruptly due to a spin and collision with a barrier. Following this incident, he candidly admitted, “If I make these mistakes, I deserve not to win the championship.” This acknowledgment reflects Leclerc’s awareness of the impact of his errors on his championship aspirations.
In the 2023 Miami Grand Prix, Leclerc crashed out of qualifying by hitting the barrier. Despite the incident, he insisted that mistakes are normal, attributing them to pushing his under-performing Ferrari to its limits.
Leclerc needs to significantly reduce his crash incidents. A notable comparison can be drawn with the current world champion, Max Verstappen, who, alongside Leclerc, has been racing since their karting days. Verstappen rarely makes mistakes these days, showcasing dominance with his RB19 during the 2023 season by winning 19 out of 22 races, setting a record for the most wins in a single season.
Another aspect to consider is their differing Formula 1 experiences. Verstappen holds more experience, having entered the F1 scene at the age of 17 in 2015, setting a record as the youngest driver. However, relying on experience alone isn’t a valid excuse anymore, given that Leclerc has been in Formula 1 since 2018. As a high-profile driver with potential for a world championship, one would expect a significant reduction in errors by now.
Does Leclerc Errors Mean He Won’t Be a World Champion?
I wouldn’t assert that Charles’ errors will prevent him from becoming a world champion. Numerous great drivers, including Senna, Prost, Schumacher, Hamilton, Vettel, Alonso, Verstappen, and others, have made errors at some point in their careers. No driver is entirely free from mistakes.
Consider the three-time champion Max Verstappen; he made a considerable number of errors and mistakes when he initially entered Formula 1. Some Formula 1 fans even dubbed him “crashstappen” due to his frequent crashes during his Torro Rosso and early Red Bull days. However, he learned from those mistakes, contributing to his growth as a driver and ultimately yielding the impressive results we witness today.
We also have arguably the greatest driver ever in Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton. He’s not error-free either. Even during the 2021 season, one of the greatest in Formula 1 history, where Hamilton and Verstappen battled for the championship until the final race in Abu Dhabi, Hamilton made some errors, with one notable example being in Baku. Following Max Verstappen’s tire blowout while leading in Baku, a red flag was deployed, necessitating a race restart. Lewis, starting P2 behind Red Bull driver Sergio Perez, encountered a lock-up at turn one while attempting to overtake Perez after the restart. This mistake resulted in him dropping from the front row to the back, contributing to Hamilton’s loss in the world championship.
Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel is not error-free either. One of the mistakes that led to him losing the championship occurred in the 2018 German Grand Prix, his home race. Despite starting on pole and leading the race, Vettel lost control in the rain, colliding with the barrier. His championship rival, Lewis Hamilton, proceeded to win the race from P14.
The oldest driver on the current grid, Fernando Alonso, also committed an error in the recently concluded season during the Spanish Grand Prix qualifying. He lost control of the car in the last corner, and the gravel damaged the floor of his car.
If drivers of such great calibers can make mistakes, Leclerc is no exception. He simply needs to ensure that he minimizes the errors he makes.
What Are the Factors Influencing Leclerc Championship?
Regardless of a driver’s skill, certain factors can prevent them from winning a championship. The most crucial factors are the car they drive and the team they belong to. The question arises: does Leclerc have the car and team capable of making him a world champion? As for the car, it’s a resounding no for me. Leclerc doesn’t have a fast enough car to make him a world champion at the moment.
Since joining Ferrari in 2019, the team has only produced what seemed like a championship-winning car once, and that was in 2022. The Ferrari F1-75 performed well in the first part of the 2022 season but faced setbacks in the second part as Red Bull dominated. Out of the 22 races held that season, Red Bull won 17, while Leclerc and Ferrari only secured victory in 3 races. Leclerc finished in P2 for the season, trailing behind Red Bull driver Max Verstappen.
The car Ferrari constructed for the recently concluded 2023 season excelled primarily in qualifying. However, it lacked strong race pace on Sundays, consuming tires quickly. Leclerc did not secure a victory throughout the season, and his teammate Carlos Sainz managed to win only one race, the Singapore Grand Prix, which also happened to be the sole race won by Ferrari.
Leclerc has not had a fast car yet, a significant factor for any driver aspiring to become a world champion. I believe that if Ferrari provides him with a fast car similar to the RB19, he has the potential to secure a world championship.
What Does Leclerc Needs to Add to His Skill to Become a World Champion?
Becoming a world champion requires more than just good driving skills and a fast car. Sometimes, a driver needs to be aggressive in both their driving style and in making assertive calls with the team.
Charles needs to be aggressive with his driving and make assertive calls with the team. This becomes vital when, for instance, he has a championship-worthy car, and another team also has a competitive vehicle. In such scenarios, the outcome ultimately hinges on Charles’ performance and decisions.
If Charles isn’t aggressive and consistently yields to other drivers, winning a championship could prove challenging. Aggression is often a key trait among successful Formula 1 drivers. Icons like Schumacher, Senna, Verstappen, Vettel, and even Hamilton—whom many believe to be very clean in terms of driving—have demonstrated aggression on the track, a quality deemed essential for success in Formula 1.
Hamilton displays aggression when necessary. During his time at McLaren, Niki Lauda expressed concern, stating that Hamilton was too aggressive, and this driving style could lead to someone getting killed. In response, Hamilton stated, “I need to be aggressive because I don’t have a fast car as others at times.”
Sometimes, aggression becomes necessary in Formula 1 for survival. I assert that without Verstappen’s aggressive driving, defeating Hamilton in the 2021 season battle would be unattainable.
Leclerc’s approach lacks some aggression, and I think he should dial back his leniencies. Adding a touch of aggressiveness could enhance his qualities and contribute to his journey toward becoming a world champion.
Conclusion
From the outset, I’ve maintained my belief that Charles can secure a world championship. Possessing the qualities of a champion and demonstrating remarkable speed as a driver, I anticipate that once all necessary elements align for him, he will indeed clinch a world championship.