Leclerc would match Hamilton at Mercedes, says Briatore
Leclerc would match Hamilton at Mercedes, says Briatore
Flavio Briatore says Charles Leclerc would be good enough to match the performances of Lewis Hamilton, where he driving a Mercedes rather than a Ferrari in 2019.
Leclerc is third in the drivers' championship with four races remaining of his maiden campaign with Ferrari, having secured more pole positions than any other driver on the grid.
However, he is a massive 117 points behind Hamilton, whose only remaining title rival is Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas, 64 points adrift the five-time world champion.
Although Leclerc's season has not been error-free, Briatore believes he is already among the sport's best performers.
"Leclerc can already become world champion," Briatore told Rai Radio. "Michael Schumacher and Fernando Alonso have proven that it's not about age, it's about talent.
"Lewis Hamilton is so strong because he makes few mistakes, even the Mercedes racing team gets everything spot on. The Silver Arrow is already very good."
Although Mercedes have proven unbeatable for a sixth straight season, with a record-breaking title double secured last time out in Japan, Briatore believes the Silver Arrows' rivals have been guilty of not capitalising on opportunities, and says Leclerc and Max Verstappen will be the ones to bring them down if their teams can get their act together.
He added: "The driver can play a role. I remain convinced: Fernando Alonso would have conquered the title in 2018 with a Ferrari. Because he would have made fewer mistakes than Vettel.
"The world champions of the future, however, are called Leclerc and Verstappen. If Leclerc was sitting in a Mercedes, he would be driving at eye level with Hamilton. I'd like to see something like that - Leclerc and Hamilton at Mercedes, or Verstappen and Hamilton at Mercedes."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Sky Sports F1 pundit calls for RADICAL change with impressive argument
- 5 minutes ago
Newey TURNED DOWN F1 rivals before Red Bull decision
- 1 hour ago
Newey's wife 'scoping out properties' in MAJOR hint over next move
- 2 hours ago
Marko reveals how Verstappen has HELPED Perez at Red Bull
- 3 hours ago
Ferrari bound Bearman set to make key F1 move
- Today 12:58
F1 News Today: Verstappen delivers MAJOR Newey warning as Hamilton hints at Ferrari swoop
- Today 12:11
Related news
Incredible statistic puts Verstappen AHEAD of Hamilton record
Fierce rival calls Hamilton F1's GOAT in surprise admission
Hamilton sends strong message over Gaza deaths
Former F1 chief hits out at Hamilton 'EXCUSES'
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