Ferrari F1 star warned by Schumacher of 'crossroads'
Ferrari F1 star warned by Schumacher of 'crossroads'
Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher has issued a warning to Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, claiming he believes he has recently lost his status as the "number one driver" within the team.
Leclerc has had a disappointing 2023 after accumulating the same number of podium finishes as DNFs so far this season.
This is in stark contrast to last year when Leclerc was a contender for the top spot in the drivers' championship but ultimately finished in second place behind Max Verstappen.
Meanwhile, his team-mate Carlos Sainz secured back-to-back podium finishes in Monza and Singapore, where the Spaniard became the first 2023 race winner to not be driving a Red Bull.
Schumacher believes Sainz's form has put Leclerc at a "crossroads" and must take accountability for his mistakes.
“Leclerc is now a bit at a crossroads,” Schumacher said to the Formel1.de YouTube Channel.
“He has to look [at himself] now because there’s no point being the eternal talent who is super-fast but doesn’t get it right in the end.
"The only difference is that Sainz is more composed. I believe he is just as driven by ambition as Charles Leclerc. They are both incredibly ambitious individuals.
"But Charles, I think, is so blessed with talent that he tries too hard, overdrives his car, and makes those mistakes.
"Sainz, I believe, is not as naturally talented as Charles Leclerc, I'm quite sure of that. But at the moment, he's the perfect package because he feels comfortable."
READ MORE: Leclerc gives an insight into 2023 'inconsistency'
Ferrari future
Despite suggesting that Sainz has taken the number one driver position, with the Ferrari duo's contracts running until the end of 2024, Schumacher believes Sainz would be more likely to depart the Maranello-based team.
"I believe up until now, it's definitely been Charles Leclerc who will stay, and Carlos Sainz who might want to explore new paths," said the German.
"It depends on how things develop."
While the true holder of the number one position at Ferrari remains uncertain, Leclerc will be keen to rein in Sainz in the drivers' standings as F1 heads to the Qatar Grand Prix.
READ MORE: Leclerc sides with Ferrari boss despite turbulent season
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 News Today: ‘Absolute b******s’ Newey claims slammed as Norris INJURED while partying
- 54 minutes ago
Hamilton hit with SURPRISE Ferrari claim as new Cullen relationship blossoms - GPFans F1 Recap
- Yesterday 23:57
Current F1 star qualifies for world championship race on two wheels
- Yesterday 22:57
Ricciardo given HUGE boost after upgrade claim
- Yesterday 21:57
‘Absolute b******s’ - Newey’s wife SLAMS Red Bull F1 claims
- Yesterday 20:57
Norris INJURED at party with legendary DJ
- Yesterday 19:57
Related news
Ferrari show off new-look drivers following HUGE announcement
Sky Sports F1 pundit dumbfounded by key Ferrari decision
F1 giants announce name change with IMMEDIATE effect
Sainz manager speaks out on 'game playing' over contract
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