Leclerc fails to live up to expectations: 'That didn't happen'

Ferrari has regained its form in Formula 1 after the disappointing year of 2020. The Italian racing stable managed to grab the third spot in the Constructors' Championship last year and close up to the top teams. Charles Leclerc has played an important role in that process.

The Monegasque has been part of the Ferrari team since 2019. While in the first two seasons he was tutored under the wings of Sebastian Vettel, he spent last calendar year with Carlos Sainz as his teammate, and he showed that he could take Ferrari in tow. For Ivan Capelli, however, the bar may be set even higher, he tells Speedweek.com.

Leclerc has big challenge ahead of him

The former Formula 1 driver sees the great talent of Leclerc, but at the same time thinks he can take the lead even more at Ferrari. Capelli believes that Leclerc is still too much in the background and that he therefore needs to develop.

"I think that in one lap in qualifying Leclerc will be the faster man," he says firmly. "Last season we expected him to take over the lead at Ferrari. But that didn't happen. And in the years before that with Vettel it wasn't a problem either, it wasn't expected of Charles. It makes a big difference when a driver is under more pressure."