'Leclerc can make a mess at Ferrari'
'Leclerc can make a mess at Ferrari'
Charles Leclerc has the ability to create a "mess" at Ferrari this year. That is the claim of outspoken 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve, referring to young Monaco-born driver Leclerc's highly anticipated move to the Scuderia to partner Sebastian Vettel.
In terms of the team hierarchy between Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull, Villeneuve thinks it will be business as usual in 2019.
"I do not see big changes. The engines are the same. There are some changes to the aerodynamics but I don't think they are big enough to make a difference," Villeneuve told Corriere della Sera.
The "big change", he said, is the arrival of Leclerc at Ferrari.
"We will have to see what happens," said Villeneuve. "If he were to start immediately strong, it could create an involuntary mess with Vettel. Just like with [Daniel] Ricciardo a few years ago."
#Seb5 is in! #F1testing #SF90 #essereFerrari pic.twitter.com/swrXjf5UdV — Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) February 18, 2019
He is referring to Red Bull in 2014, where despite his four consecutive titles, Vettel was beaten by team newcomer Ricciardo.
"He [Ricciardo] didn't arrive to make a mess," Villeneuve said. "In theory, Vettel was the favourite but things can sometimes turn against you on the psychological level and you don't know why."
The Canadian thinks Vettel's only strategy must be to be "strong all season" this time around.
"A lot will depend on the comparison with Leclerc," said Villeneuve. "He knows that if things do not go well, the future at Ferrari will no longer be his but Leclerc's. The pressure is all on him.
"Seb has everything to lose, Charles nothing."
As for reigning champion Lewis Hamilton, Villeneuve thinks he could win a sixth drivers' title in 2019 "If he does not fall asleep".
"Last year, from Germany onwards he was always awake and did nothing wrong, but it's true that his teammate was not there," he said, referring to Valtteri Bottas.
MORE: LIVE! F1 Preseason Testing Day One
MORE: Alfa Romeo reveal 2019 F1 car in Barcelona
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Horner reveals 'unhuman' Verstappen secret
- 54 minutes ago
Sainz manager speaks out on 'game playing' over contract
- 1 hour ago
EXCLUSIVE: World champion reveals 'logical' winning F1 Hamilton combination
- 2 hours ago
Why F1's RADICAL proposed points change is a positive step
- Today 15:57
Former F1 chief hits out at Hamilton 'EXCUSES'
- Today 13:57
Red Bull already sending parts to F1 race MONTHS away
- Today 12:57
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860