Ex-Ferrari driver: 'The problems at Maranello are not down to the drivers'

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are evenly matched. In racing and qualifying, the two can often be found near each other. In a La Gazzetta piece, Felipe Massa was asked who he thinks will have the upper hand within Ferrari next season.

Charles Leclerc has been with the Italian team since 2019. His teammate Carlos Sainz joined the team two years later, in 2021. Felipe Massa is a former driver who was with Ferrari from 2006 to 2014.

Scuderia Ferrari has a long history in Formula 1 with lots of success. The team managed to win no less than 16 constructors' championships so far. In the last few years, the team has not fared as well. The last championship won was in 2008.

According to Massa, it is certainly not the fault of the current Ferrari drivers that the team is not doing well. "Ferrari has two very good drivers who work well together. They just need a competitive car to show at what level they can be in the fight for the title."

Leclerc is a better driver than Sainz

Leclerc is the better of the two, according to the ex-Ferrari driver. "I see a slight advantage for Leclerc. He drove incredible races in 2023 and came on in the second half of the season. He is a master of qualifying as he always knows how to get the most out of the car in one lap. Granted, he also made mistakes, but when you have a lot of pressure and few chances to win, it is easier to make mistakes."

For Verstappen, it's easier

Massa also gives a slight sneer at Max Verstappen. "For Verstappen, who always starts at the front, outside the fray and drives a car that behaves perfectly, it's much easier."

"I hope Charles will finally have a competitive Ferrari, without the reliability problems of recent years and that he will deliver the consistent performance to challenge Max in the championship. It has been too many years since Ferrari succeeded in this objective. It is clear that the problem in Maranello is definitely not the drivers."