Leclerc still without a podium: 'Criticism of him is unjustified'

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has yet to secure a podium finish this season. Felipe Massa thinks the criticism of Leclerc is unjustified. The Brazilian thinks the press is not handling him well enough. The Monegasque is currently tenth in the standings, but could he have done better?

"In Bahrain, when he was in third position, it was the car that broke down, which caused the penalty that then hit him in Saudi Arabia. If a driver is perfect, but his car is not fast and reliable, then you have little use for it," the 41-year-old Massa said in an interview with La Gazetta.

Sainz and Leclerc over criticism

Leclerc is facing a lot of criticism from the media, but his teammate is not unscathed either. Earlier, Carlos Sainz commented on the negative coverage of the two Ferrari drivers. Massa, too, takes issue with them.

"Charles is not the problem and the press is wrong to criticise him. A mistake on the first lap, when you are in the heat of the race, can of course happen. Especially when you don't have a competitive car and you start at the back," the former driver explained.