F1 News
'Relationship between Leclerc and Ferrari reaches new low'
Nicolás Quarles van Ufford
According to Italian news source FormulaPassion, Charles Leclerc is very unhappy with the way he's been treated in his short stint at Ferrari, as the relationship between the two sides has reached a new low.
Leclerc has been the victim of several team orders and tactical mishaps, the latest of which coming at his home Grand Prix in Monaco. The 21-year-old was far from secure to get into Q2 during qualifying but the team decided not to let him out for a second run. It backfired, as he dropped down to P16 and was out of qualifying.
During the race, Leclerc was on an overtaking spree through the narrow streets of Monaco, until it all went wrong. He clipped the inside of the barriers at Rascasse when trying to overtake Nico Hülkenberg and got a puncture.
On his way back to the pitlane, the Monegasque drove way too quick, ruining the floor of his car. He eventually had to retire from the race.
"A cry went through the paddock and found ears that were ready to listen to it," FormulaPassion reports.
"In particular: the interest of a top-level team and the readiness for a potential future partnership."
This can only allude to either Mercedes or Red Bull Racing, the only two other teams that fight for wins.
In Mercedes' case, they could consider replacing Valtteri Bottas with a younger talent if his form drops off for the rest of the season. Leclerc could certainly put pressure on Hamilton consistently for years to come, if not beat him.
Or is it Red Bull? Are they already looking for a driver of a higher pedigree than Pierre Gasly?
