Felipe Massa has known as on the brand new Ferrari crew principal, Frederic Vasseur, to lock down Charles Leclerc on a long-term contract. The previous System 1 driver believes that Leclerc could lead on Ferrari in the identical manner that Max Verstappen is doing at Pink Bull and Lewis Hamilton did for Mercedes.
Massa described Leclerc as one of many biggest drivers in System 1 and a key man for Ferrari. Talking to Corriere dello Sport, the Brazilian stated:
“The automotive have to be profitable and the crew functioning, the remaining have to be carried out by the drivers. After 5 or 6 races you perceive who’s main. Final 12 months, after three grands prix, every little thing was already clear.”
Final season, after a two-year drought, Ferrari returned to the entrance of the grid. Charles Leclerc claimed two of their first three wins of the season in Bahrain and Australia.
Regardless of including a 3rd win in Austria, Leclerc’s championship hopes had been derailed by reliability points and subpar methods. He completed the season as a runner-up to Verstappen.
Sainz was higher in his first 12 months however Charles Leclerc clearly Ferrari’s greatest in 2022 in accordance with Massa
Charles Leclerc’s teammate Carlos Sainz took his maiden win on the British Grand Prix and completed the season in fifth place. Talking concerning the Spaniard’s tenure at Ferrari, Massa stated:
“Sainz was the most effective in his first 12 months, however the automotive was not aggressive. When the automotive was sturdy, in 2022, Charles was clearly on the high. If he does the identical this 12 months, it will likely be tough for Carlos to recreate the state of affairs of 2021.”
Vasseur, who has taken over from Mattia Binotto, was requested about his drivers’ contracts with each Leclerc and Sainz out of contract on the finish of subsequent 12 months. He responded that it was not his high precedence and that negotiations can be held at a later time.
Felipe Massa, nonetheless, believes that Vasseur ought to signal Leclerc to a brand new contract earlier than the summer season break.
Mercedes have been linked to Charles Leclerc as a potential alternative for Hamilton. Massa believes Vasseur ought to act rapidly to safe the driving force’s future with Ferrari. He suggested the Frenchman to give attention to the automotive and the crew first, after which suggest a contract extension in the midst of the championship.
Pink Bull are supposedly weakened as a result of aerodynamic testing restrictions placed on them after breaching the associated fee cap in 2021. Therefore, Ferrari are in a main place to capitalize on the state of affairs and purpose for a primary championship since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007.