Italian press take issue with Leclerc and Ferrari after French GP

The Italian media is pretty critical of Charles Leclerc the day after the French Grand Prix. The driver from Monaco was initially very good, but is blamed for making a big, unnecessary mistake. The criticism on Ferrari is also strong, because the team from Maranello again looked insecure in some situations at Paul Ricard.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

The first Italian newspaper to review is relatively mild on Ferrari and Leclerc. ""Nooooooooooooo". Charles Leclerc's scream over the radio in the barriers of Turn 11 on lap 18 of the French GP is what echoed from the mouths of millions of Ferrari fans. Retirement from leading the race, with Max Verstappen in difficulty, until then unable to attack the F1-75, beautifully glued to the road. And instead, nothing. Retirement for the Monegasque and new easy victory served on a silver platter to Verstappen, who took another 25 points, beating the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell and resumed relentless in the World Championship breakaway (he is now at +63 on Leclerc). This is hard to swallow, useless to turn around: losing from a mistake of your champion is doubly painful. "I can't go wrong like that, I'm at a high level of my career, but if I make mistakes like that it all becomes useless. If I lose the World Championship by 32 points, the result of the mistakes of Imola and here, I will know who was to blame" the admirable words of Charles, very hard, perhaps too much, with himself."

Corriere dello Sport

Corriere dello Sport speaks words to the same effect. "There is no need to beat around the bush, with a huge miss he ruined a job he did brilliantly. The resistance against Verstappen up to lap 17 was further proof that he certainly represents a certain value. Yes, but if he doesn't finish..."

There is also little positive to say about Ferrari after the French Prix. "Still unconvincing moments in the management of various situations: the error on the restart of Sainz after the pit stop is indisputable; the choice to recall Sainz a second time is justified by the indications that considered it impossible to finish the race with the covers in use at that time."

"So why had the Spaniard just before engaged in that crazy attack on Perez to take third position? We need a lie detector." According to the newspaper, they are currently trying to hold each other's hands a bit up in conversation with the press after the event.

La Repubblica

La Repubblica gives Leclerc no higher than a 4 for his Sunday in Le Castellet. "His self-criticism is to be applauded. But honesty does not change the outcome. He was in the lead, he was having a perfect race, you can't throw everything away like that. The mistake is serious and risks being are paid dearly."

Ferrari gets a 6 from the Italian newspaper. "Its destiny is to cause discussion. The car now runs with pleasure, perhaps the fastest of the group. Every time, however, there is always something that does not convince. In this case, Leclerc's mistake aside (the team has nothing to do with it), Sainz's last pit stop. Really necessary as the team claims? Or harmful as the pilot somehow makes clear? The critics: it cost the podium. The favorable: he avoided another retirement for finished tires. The debate is open."

Corriere della Sera

Finally, we look at Corriere della Sera's comments . "Better to erase certain events from the mind, even if the pain and ghosts will remain in the head of Charles Leclerc for who knows how long. They say that his strength is in getting back on his feet immediately, even after beating like this. Now he will have to prove it."

It's not enough for Ferrari at the moment. "This ruthless Red Bull is always ready to exploit every misstep of its rivals. Leclerc took all the blame by demonstrating top honesty, character, and ambition. Zero own goals for Verstappen, seven wins against three. Responsibilities must be shared between [Team and Driver], lack of reliability, tactical blunders and drivers' mistakes."