Hill explains what Leclerc is missing in order to win the title at Ferrari

22:00, 01 Jan

byLuke-John Buckle

Damon Hill is sure that Charles Leclerc is capable of becoming a world champion and just needs the car to do it.

“They [Ferrari] just need to give him the car."

- Damon Hill

Leclerc has been racing for Ferrari since the 2019 season, when he won two races and beat his four-time world champion teammate Sebastian Vettel that year.

The Monegasque has competed with the best drivers on the grid, such as Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, but hasn't challenged for a world championship.

He did have a half-chance at the title in 2022 after a competitive start, but fell behind the eventual champion Verstappen in the second half of the year.

Hill knows what it takes to become a world champion as he delivered the title for Williams in 1996.

The Briton told the Drive to Wynn podcast that he feels Leclerc has the skill to win the title and Ferrari just need to deliver a competitive enough car.

Hill said: "I don’t think anyone can look at what Charles has done and not conclude that he’s an extremely fast racing driver and got the potential to become a world champion.

"They just need to give him the car."

Photo: Race Pictures

Moving on to Hamilton, the 1996 world champion added: “I think Lewis did have a better race [in Abu Dhabi].

“I mean, he got up into the points, but it’s not been a season that he will look back on. It might even be worse than 2021 for him.

“I mean, the disappointment was massive then, but this season has been really a choker for him.”

The pecking order may only become clear during the European rounds

Ferrari slumped to fourth in the Constructors' Championship and will be looking to bounce back under the new rules of the 2026 season.

The Scuderia's team principal, Frederic Vasseur, believes that the performance of the 11 outfits may only become clear after the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. Read the Frenchman's thoughts here!

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