Is Ferrari poised for a triumphant comeback? Charles Leclerc’s recent statements suggest a burning desire to shake things up in the final races of the season, starting with the Qatar Grand Prix. He’s not just aiming for a decent finish; he’s explicitly “motivated to do something special” for the Scuderia. But with the season drawing to a close, can Leclerc and Ferrari realistically pull off a miracle?
Ferrari, a team steeped in Formula 1 history, has undeniably faced an uphill battle this year. While rivals like McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes have consistently challenged for victories, Ferrari has struggled to maintain pace. In fact, Ferrari stands out as the only one among these top four teams without a single Grand Prix win in the current season. This performance deficit leaves them trailing in the Teams’ Championship, lagging behind Red Bull and Mercedes by a significant margin of 13 and 53 points, respectively. Leclerc himself has only managed to secure seven podium finishes out of the 22 races held so far.
Adding to the internal pressure, Lewis Hamilton, Leclerc’s teammate, has yet to taste the champagne on the podium this year. His comments after the Las Vegas race hinted at a lack of enthusiasm for the upcoming season, a sentiment he later addressed before the Qatar GP, reaffirming his commitment to his Ferrari move. But here’s where it gets controversial… Hamilton’s initial comments sparked debate among fans and analysts alike. Does his apparent lack of excitement reflect a deeper dissatisfaction within the team, or is it simply a momentary lapse in optimism?
Despite the external noise and individual struggles, Leclerc insists that the Ferrari team remains united. “Inside the team, we are really united and really motivated to do something special,” he stated. “Of course, it’s been a long time that I’ve been saying we’re trying to do something special, and we didn’t quite make it yet, but the most important is that we stay united. I really see us united and not too affected by what’s going around.” This unity, according to Leclerc, is crucial for overcoming the challenges they face. And this is the part most people miss… The ability of a team to remain cohesive amidst adversity often separates the winners from the rest.
Leclerc emphasizes that even in a difficult season, valuable lessons have been learned. He pointed to Carlos Sainz’s victory in Mexico City as a recent example of Ferrari’s potential. “I learnt many things – the more experience you get, the more you learn,” Leclerc explained. “Every season, every race, every lap is different, so you always grow from different situations.”
He further elaborated on the season’s unique challenges: “It’s been a particularly challenging season because the second part of last year we had momentum with us, I think I was the driver with most points in the second half. So you get into the first part of this season with big hopes, and it’s not exactly the way you want. That’s the way it’s been this year, and that doesn’t demotivate me. It’s been a tough one, but I’m still trying to do something special.” Leclerc’s resilience and determination are evident, but the question remains: can Ferrari translate this motivation into tangible results in the remaining races?
Is Leclerc’s optimism justified, or are Ferrari’s struggles too deeply rooted to overcome in such a short timeframe? What changes, if any, do you think Ferrari needs to make to return to the top of Formula 1? Share your thoughts in the comments below!