Matt Gallagher, co-host of P1 with Matt and Tommy, believes Charles Leclerc will not win a world championship whilst driving for Ferrari, meaning the Monegasque will need to leave Maranello to achieve his dream.
Leclerc’s future at Ferrari has been quietly discussed as of late, especially with the Italians having endured a poor start to the 2023 F1 season.
The 25-year-old retired at the season-opener in Bahrain and could only manage seventh in Saudi Arabia; however, he did start 12th following a 10-place grid penalty for having already exceeded his legal number of control electronics sets.
As it stands, he does have until the end of 2024 on his contract, with many beginning to wonder whether he’ll sign an extension with the Scuderia or look elsewhere.
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Based on Gallagher’s prediction, Leclerc will need to start considering his options elsewhere if he wants to fight for a title.
“It’s very difficult. If they are able to iron out some things, not even things to do with their car, just the way in which they go about their strategy and calls, they definitely have a better chance,” Gallagher told the Sky Sports F1 podcast.
“It’s more about if Ferrari can keep him long enough until they do have a championship-winning car. I am going to go with a no.”
Also appearing on the podcast was former Ferrari race engineer Rob Smedley, who is expecting improvements to be made mid-season.
Smedley believes that new team principal Frederic Vasseur needs to be given time to implement his style, with nothing going to change “overnight or instantaneously”.
The former race engineer has predicted that Vasseur needs “another three months” for his approach to start having an effective, something which could then see Leclerc challenge the frontrunners.
“You should be able to see good people who are effective and can get on with it, and who are allowed to get on with it,” Smedley said.
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“You would see changes in six months. You won’t get change overnight or instantaneously. Within six months, you can start to see the green shoots of the strategy you can see in place.
“Probably the middle of this season is when we will see the differences. Your first months are interviews and talking to the media, after that you can get a feel for the place, to understand how the place works and then after three months you can make changes.
“The green shoots of the changes won’t be seen until another three months.”