How can Leclerc benefit from Vasseur's arrival at Ferrari?

The relationship between Leclerc and Vasseur goes back a long way. The two worked together in 2016 at ART Grand Prix when the Monegasque became the GP3 (now Formula 3) champion. Two years later, in 2018, Vasseur was Sauber's crew chief when Leclerc made his Formula 1 debut.

Last week, Ferrari officially announced that Vasseur will take over as team boss in 2023, replacing Binotto. While many doubt that Leclerc had any kind of influence on the team's choice, of course, everyone is wondering how Vasseur's arrival might influence them internally: will Leclerc really be the team's number one from now on? What about Carlos Sainz's situation?

Influence on the choice

Even though Leclerc denied in an interview during the FIA gala ceremony last week that he had any influence on Vasseur's choice as team boss, it is very unlikely that Ferrari management did not consult Leclerc's team to find out whether or not the Frenchman had the driver's approval.

In theory, Vasseur's arrival could strengthen Charles' position within Ferrari.

Leclerc may well have seen the way Lewis Hamilton has built the entire Mercedes team around himself, and the same is happening with Verstappen at Red Bull. So with the arrival of an old acquaintance, the Monegasque believes he can do the same at Ferrari in the years to come.

Number one driver?

On-track performance is what usually dictates the hierarchy within a team. During the second half of the season, Ferrari's car showed a change in philosophy, which would have benefited Carlos Sainz more, and therefore the Spaniard managed to perform slightly better than Leclerc in the last few races. For that reason, Leclerc will need Vasseur's support to make sure the car is in a way that is ideal for him, and not for his teammate.

For example, it is undeniable that Red Bull develop their car with Max Verstappen's preferences in mind, not Pérez's. Therefore, it is entirely conceivable the idea that Ferrari could do the same with one of its drivers.

The Scuderia would then opt for Leclerc, as he is the driver who has been with Ferrari for many years (he was part of the team's Academy) and who they see as the more talented of the two, and who can outperform Verstappen in the coming years.

Exit to Mercedes?

Furthermore, many speculate that the arrival of someone already known to Leclerc was a way for Ferrari to make sure the driver will remain with the team when his contract expires. The Monegasque's contract with the Italian team runs until the end of 2024.

At Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton's contract runs out at the end of next season. Although the team and the driver himself have already openly admitted that a renewal should happen, it is undeniable that in 2 or 3 years Mercedes will need to look for someone to fill the vacancy left by Hamilton, who is now 37 years old (unless he follows Alonso's steps).

It seems that Leclerc would be eyeing that spot, in case Ferrari doesn't give him a car that is capable of fighting for the title in the next few years. With that said, seeing the imminent risk of losing their main driver, the Italian team would not mind hiring a team manager who favours him more than Carlos Sainz.

Sainz as the second driver?

If there is any driver who is happy to be a mere supporting player within a team, then I think it is best that he retires. The driver who has no ambition to beat his own teammate deserves no place in any category of motorsport.

However, we know that Sainz is far from being that kind of driver. Just like all the others who are currently on the grid, the Spaniard also has the dream of becoming a world champion. So, the question remains: would Sainz accept to be the second driver at Ferrari?

The answer, of course, is 'no'. The Spaniard was ahead of Charles Leclerc in the 2021 Formula 1 season, and so there is no reason to believe that he would not be able to repeat the feat in an upcoming season - and he knows he can do it.

Even if Ferrari - with Vasseur's arrival - opts to favour Leclerc next year, what will the team do if Sainz is ahead or tied with the Monegasque in the standings after eight or nine races, for example? Will the team choose its 'number one' or will it leave its drivers free to compete?

There is no guarantee that Leclerc will be superior to Sainz next season, unlike at Red Bull, where Verstappen is much more likely to always outperform Perez due to the big technical difference between them.

Conclusion

Leclerc can benefit from the arrival of Vasseur, but the new team boss will have a lot of work ahead of him, especially if Ferrari fail to develop a strong car for the next few years, which will open a gap for the Monegasque to go another way.