Strong praise from Jock Clear for Charles Leclerc, with the former coach of the Monegasque convinced that he can soon become the true leader of Ferrari.
That Leclerc is the talent Ferrari must build around is no longer in doubt. According to Clear, the #16 is now ready to take the team on his shoulders, despite the significant presence of Lewis Hamilton.
The relationship between the British engineer and the Monegasque is among the strongest in the paddock. Since his arrival in Maranello, Leclerc has been supported by Clear in every aspect of on-track performance, also receiving that crucial mental coaching that a driver coach must provide.
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After leaving Ferrari, Clear has taken on a role closer to that of an analyst and insider. Interviewed by Peter Windsor, he described Leclerc’s talent as follows: “He brings an extremely high level of racing intelligence into his driving. Right now, I think he’s the only one capable of matching Max Verstappen in wheel-to-wheel battles. We haven’t seen them fight often on equal terms, but in those rare moments, it’s been almost impossible to say who was better. Even with a slightly inferior car, Charles has managed to put him under pressure. He’s an extraordinary fighter.”
Clear also emphasized the naturalness of Leclerc’s talent: “He’s an incredibly natural driver, with exceptional feel for the car. He performs best in the simplicity of pure driving: he doesn’t like complications or the chaos surrounding F1, but that doesn’t mean he can’t handle them—on the contrary, I think he does it very well.” ”
On managing the Ferrari environment—with media, fans, and internal pressure—Clear drew an important comparison with Michael Schumacher: “It may be an unfair comparison, because Ferrari is a unique and complex ecosystem. But to truly become the leader and take the team to a title, he must continue to grow in this area. It’s not criticism —it’s a difficult journey for anyone. Just look at Michael, who arrived in 1996 and won his first title only in 2000. Charles is still in that process.” ”
Photos credits: Ferrari.com
