Jean Alesi, the former Ferrari star, defends Charles Leclerc amid concerns of him facing a career similar to Alesi's. He dismissed the notion of Leclerc suffering from 'Alesi syndrome' and stated that the young driver has already validated his skills. Alesi highlighted Leclerc’s recent contract renewal as evidence of his confidence in Ferrari's future. He also acknowledged Lewis Hamilton's resurgence but challenges the notion that it detracts from Leclerc’s own performance.

By the Numbers
  • Leclerc recently extended his contract with Ferrari, signifying confidence in the team's direction.
  • Alesi forecasts that Ferrari will not surpass Mercedes this year, claiming the title is unattainable for them.
Yes, But

While Alesi supports Leclerc, he noted the driver’s increased mistakes and whether his off-track distractions, such as business ventures and marriage, could be impacting performance negatively.

State of Play
  • Ferrari is showing improvements but is still behind Mercedes in competitiveness.
  • Alesi believes championship leader Kimi Antonelli is the favorite for the title, pointing to Russell's inconsistencies.
What's Next

As the season progresses, Leclerc must focus on improving performance to silence critics and maintain his place at Ferrari. The team aims to leverage recent gains, though challenges remain in possibly clinching a title this year.

Bottom Line

Leclerc is positioned for success at Ferrari, but overcoming the challenges posed by both internal distractions and strong competitors like Hamilton and Antonelli will be crucial for his and the team's future aspirations.