Leclerc compared to Verstappen: 'Charles is equally talented'

Christian Klien thinks Charles Leclerc will definitely become Formula 1 world champion again in the future. The former Formula 1 driver enjoyed the Monegasque this year but ultimately saw that the Ferrari car was not competitive enough to have a real chance against Max Verstappen.

"A lot of the mistakes that happened to both Ferrari drivers was because they seem to have quite a loose rear, that's a little bit unpredictable," Klein told podcast F1 Nation. "And then obviously, if you're already a little bit on the backfoot, you push that just extra couple of percent more, and you're driving closer at the limit, then it's obviously easy to make a mistake."

Leclerc's time will come

Leclerc went full for the world title this year, but ultimately remains empty-handed. What remains for the Monegasque is a battle for second place in the World Championship with Sergio Perez. However, Klien argues that Leclerc need not despair. "It's easy to finger point, but I think if he has the right package, Charles is definitely also a future Formula 1 World Champion, if he has the car that he requires to do [so.]"

Verstappen and Leclerc are both 25 years old currently. The Dutchman already has two world championships behind his name, Leclerc none yet. Klien: "I think Charles is equally talented. I mean that some of his pole position laps that he put together this year were just unbelievable. I also think he has the race craft, but if you have bigger tyre degradation during the race, there's not much that you can do as a driver."

Disappointment at Leclerc

Leclerc actually knew for several weeks that he would not be world champion this year, but according to Klien, the realisation only sunk in after the Japanese GP. "I think his face on the podium said everything, he was really disappointed. It just caught reality that they lost the World Championship, and I think for a very long time this season, it was still in his in his head in his mind, maybe we can turn it around." the 39-year-old Austrian concluded.