Ferrari has made it clear that to become a championship-winning force in Formula 1 again, it must operate at the same high level as its star driver, Charles Leclerc. With only six races remaining in the 2024 season, Leclerc sits third in the Drivers’ Championship, trailing leader Max Verstappen by 86 points. Despite the odds, the Monegasque has put on a stellar performance this year, securing two wins—one notably at Monza—and nine podiums.
Ferrari’s Senior Performance Engineer, Jock Clear, emphasized that Leclerc possesses all the qualities of a World Champion, particularly highlighting his exceptional qualifying speed. “I’ve believed since 2018 that he has everything it takes to become a World Champion,” Clear said. “His qualifying pace is unmatched. In my view, he’s the best qualifier we’ve ever seen.”
Clear also praised Leclerc’s race management skills, noting his strategic brilliance, particularly in races like Monza. However, he acknowledged that it takes more than just a talented driver to win championships. “There’s a misconception that a driver just needs to drive the car we give them. If you think that’s all it takes, you’re missing the bigger picture,” he asserted.
Ferrari’s struggles in sustaining a championship challenge are well-documented, with the team falling short in 2022 after Leclerc initially led by 34 points within the first three races. Despite Ferrari’s strong start under the new regulations, the season unraveled due to strategic errors, technical issues, and falling behind Red Bull in development.
Reflecting on the missed opportunity, Clear admitted that Ferrari wasn’t fully prepared as a team. “At one point, we had a 40-point lead in the Drivers’ Championship, and we could compete with Max at multiple circuits. But as a team, we weren’t ready,” he confessed. “Red Bull outpaced us in development, and there were areas where we simply weren’t at championship level.”
Clear stressed that Ferrari needs to elevate its game to match Leclerc’s potential. “It’s not just about having the fastest car. Mercedes and Red Bull didn’t dominate just because of superior machinery; they had the best team setup in every aspect.”
The Ferrari engineer expressed confidence that Leclerc has what it takes but emphasized that the team must match his consistency and performance. “We know that when Charles is performing at his peak, we have to rise to that level alongside him. When the entire team is delivering at championship level, I’m confident Charles will too.”
With the team on the brink of finding that winning formula, according to Clear, the responsibility now lies on Ferrari to deliver a consistent, competitive car capable of challenging for titles. “We’re close to being able to give Charles what he needs to win a championship. When we do, he’ll deliver.”
