F1 News

Ferrari must make clear choice between drivers: 'Leclerc is the lead guy'

24 September 2022 at 12:14
Last update 25 September 2022 at 03:49
  • GPblog.com

Ferrari still has not allocated a clear number one driver within the team. Damon Hill believes the team should recognise that, based on pure race pace, Charles Leclerc is simply the better driver if they want to beat Max Verstappen.

According to Mattia Binotto, there is no number one within Ferrari's team. This is also evidenced by previous races this season. At Silverstone, Carlos Sainz won the race at Leclerc's expense, while in Austria the two teammates were allowed to fight each other during the sprint race, allowing Verstappen to create a big gap towards his rivals.

Meanwhile, Leclerc is far behind in the drivers' championship. Verstappen can even secure the title as early as the Singapore Grand Prix. Hill believes Ferrari must make a clear choice between its drivers if the team wants to beat Verstappen and Red Bull Racing in the future.

Ferrari must make a choice

"The fact of the matter is Charles Leclerc in sheer pace is the lead guy, and Carlos has done a great job, but he still hasn’t dominated Charles has he? It’s a bit like Sergio", Hill begins in the F1 Nation podcast. Sergio Perez started the season strongly, but by now the Mexican has fallen back and cannot make things difficult for his teammate.

"If you’re going up into battle against Max Verstappen and Red Bull, you’ve got to put your best guys forward", Hill continues. The chances of Ferrari taking home the constructors' title this season are very slim. The team has to keep an eye on Mercedes in particular, as the team aims to finish second in the championship. For title victory, the Italians will have to focus on 2023.