Mattia Binotto, Ferrari Formula 1 team boss, was surprised by the progress that Charles Leclerc has made since his arrival at the team.
Everyone was surprised by the data of Leclerc’s performance. His performance data shows progressive trend line that no one was expecting at such an early stage.
Scuderia Ferrari F1 team decided to pull off Kimi Raikkonen for 2019. He was replaced by Leclerc, who was taken on board from Alfa Romeo.
Monegasque surprising performance has kept four-time world champion team mate Sebastian Vettel on toes. He trails Vettel with his 11 podiums for Ferrari. Also he managed to surpass Vettel’s performance during qualification since Canadian Grand Prix in June.
“If I look at the first half of the season, I think [it’s] very positive, the way Charles is growing,” Binotto told news agency.
“Because there was a lot of expectations at first, a lot of pressure on him, on his shoulders, because obviously driving a Ferrari is driving a Ferrari, [especially] while you are so young.
“He’s a talent, we knew it, but I think he’s really learning from mistakes and that’s more important.
“Even his collaboration with the team, his way of supporting the team in the development of the car, is improving race by race, day by day, that’s another positive of the first half.
“We knew that he was a talent, we knew that he was very strong when attacking or defending, because we could’ve seen that in F3 [GP3] and F2.
“I think if there’s anything that’s surprising us is how much he’s improving through the races.
“Race after race, his weekend is becoming more solid and solid, and I think he can even do better than what’s he’s doing.”
Binotto also addressed the concerns about Leclerc being a risk to Ferrari’s reputation on track. He said he believes that it was right choice for the team and the right to invest in the young talent.
He also added that Vettel has been positive about new induction.
“He’s dealing well with Charles, they are two good team-mates,” added Binotto.
“He is very smart, he is very motivated, and I think that even for him it could’ve been a lot more difficult, that start to the season, but overall I think he knows how good he can be, and he’s smart enough to understand the entire situation.
“I think he’s still very supportive with the team, with himself, and he knows that he is an important pillar of our team for the present and for the future.”
