Ferrari build Leclerc champions credentials

Leclerc in Saudi Arabia — Photo: © LAT Images

Ferrari

Ferrari build Leclerc champions credentials

Leclerc leads the drivers' standings after the first two races

Sam Hall

Wednesday 6 April 2022 08:00

Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto has hailed Charles Leclerc for showing his championship 'capability' in the opening two races of the F1 season.

Leclerc sits atop the drivers' championship after scoring a victory and a second-place across the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian weekends.

The Monegasque driver enjoys a 12-point margin over team-mate Carlos Sainz and a gap of 20 to third-placed Max Verstappen, the Red Bull driver recovering from retirement in Bahrain to score a victory last time out.

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Asked if Leclerc has performed like a driver capable of winning the world title, Binotto said: "I think he has, but something which I was expecting when we renewed with him last year until 2024 because we knew he was capable of this.

"I think he is demonstrating he is capable of fighting for the championship so no doubt he has got the talent, he has got the capacity.

"He is a very good racer and very happy with what he is proving in two races."

Ferrari bring no "substantial" upgrades to Australia

After introducing a budget cap last season, F1 teams have been forced to become more economical with the upgrades they bring to the track.

Whereas in previous years, teams with the biggest budgets could bring multiple variations of parts to the track to discover which worked best, this is no longer possible.

"I think it is not only a matter of when we will be ready [with upgrades] but a matter of budget cap, so trying to make sure we are not spending all we have got in the first races," explained Binotto.

"So we are not expecting developments or significant developments for the next race in Melbourne but as soon as we can bring something, we will do it."