Jacques Villeneuve explains where Ferrari went wrong in 2019
F1 News
It has not been an easy season for Ferrari. There has been tension at the team and a number of incidents between their two drivers. However, many have seen Charles Leclerc's rise as the only positive from the season for Ferrari. Jacques Villeneuve disagrees.
Former F1 driver Villeneuve has been critical of the way Ferrari managed Leclerc and thinks they would have had a better season if they told the youngster to take it slow and learn from the four-time world champion in the team's other car.
"A lot depends on the chemistry of the two drivers," Villeneuve told Formule 1 when discussing Ferrari's season. "Ferrari never said to Leclerc: 'It's your first year with us, your second year in F1. Relax and learn from Vettel.
"Then I think the team would have moved on more than it did," said the Canadian."Instead, from the first race, Leclerc had this image of 'I am going to show that I am the boss and Vettel is passe. I am the future'.
"The fans also thought Leclerc had come to save Ferrari and the media went along with it. I think it hurt Vettel, like with Ricciardo in the Red Bull days.
"It didn't help Ferrari because Leclerc simply wasn't ready for that role. He had poles and even wins but he was not ready for the championship. This whole situation damaged Ferrari," he concluded.
It is hard not to agree with Villeneuve and his arguments seem to make sense. Ferrari will hope to learn from their mistakes and come back in 2020 ready to challenge for the world championship.