Martin Brundle: Ferrari loves Charles Leclerc like it loved Michael Schumacher

Graham Shaw
Wednesday 15 June 2022 09:00 - Updated: 15:42

The storm clouds may be gathering at Ferrari after Sunday's Azerbaijan Grand Prix, but Martin Brundle sees one definite silver lining for Charles Leclerc.

The Monegasque has roared to four consecutive pole positions but failed to convert any of those due to a mix of reliability issues and strategy blunders from the Scuderia.

Sunday in Baku saw his power unit and chances of victory go up in smoke when he was leading the race, but afterwards, Brundle pinpointed one massive positive for Leclerc.

Brundle on Ferrari/Leclerc love

"He loves Ferrari and Ferrari love him, in a way that, the last time I saw something like that was between Michael Schumacher and the Ferrari team," explained Brundle.

"There's an awful lot of love to burn through there but right now, Leclerc must be feeling as bruised as Lewis' back."

Reliability costing Leclerc

Leclerc has dropped to third in the Drivers' Championship standings after that recent run of ill luck, and Brundle admits that reliability could end up costing him dear in his bid to challenge Max Verstappen for the title in 2022.

"We're into the thick of a 22-race season," continued Brundle.

"Races are coming relentlessly at us. If you've got one big issue, you go and fix it, but there are various gremlins that Ferrari is having.

"Charles Leclerc must be beside himself. He could have had four glorious victories.

"He's sticking the car on pole position, driving beautifully and then this kind of thing is happening to him just way too much."