Leclerc was unlucky in 2021: 'Lost at least 40 points'

For Charles Leclerc, 2021 was a somewhat disappointing season. The Monegasque only finished on the podium once and was beaten by his teammate for the first time in his Formula 1 career. According to Ferrari team boss Mattia Binotto it could have been different.

Leclerc finished the 2021 season seventh in the overall standings, behind teammate Carlos Sainz who scored 5.5 points more and finished fifth. Leclerc also only finished on the podium once, while his Spanish teammate finished in the top three four times.

Binotto told MotorsportWeek.com that Leclerc could have finished above Sainz but the Monegasque lacked luck in some races. He failed to start the Monaco Grand Prix due to gearbox problems, despite taking pole position on Saturday, and in Hungary he was one of the unlucky few to be forced out of the race in the opening crash.

"Without that, it is difficult to say where he would have finished – but there is at least 40 points missing in his classification," Binotto said. The Italian believes in Leclerc's talent and is positive about the steps the 24-year-old driver has made.