Charles Leclerc can still follow the path carved by Michael Schumacher at Ferrari despite the team’s woeful 2020, Mattia Binotto believes.
Last year, many compared the impact made by the Monegasque at Ferrari to that of Schumacher when he joined back in 1996, as he outperformed Sebastian Vettel.
Of course, this year, in a much less competitive car, it has been a lot harder for Leclerc but Binotto, who was at Maranello throughout the German’s 10-year stint at the team, believes the experience could actually be valuable for the 22-year-old.
“He grew up with us, knows the values of Ferrari and is very close,” he said of Charles to Corriere della Sera last week. “He is part of a special family and he knows it.
Also Read:
- Leclerc happy to be patient at Ferrari as Sainz reiterates trust in 2021 move
- Leclerc won’t ‘point the finger’ for Ferrari’s problems but feels ‘responsible’ to fix them
- Ferrari ‘in the midst of a storm’ as Binotto ignores Wolff criticism
“This year is important, I think one day he will be able to say: “Those difficulties were useful to me”.
“He has the talent, and he is also growing as a leader in this difficult time.
“I often talk to him about Schumacher, who arrived in ’96 and was a champion in 2000.
“He can repeat that path,” the Ferrari boss concluded.
While poles and wins are currently out of the equation, Leclerc has often produced the more positive moments for Ferrari this year, notably having two podiums to his name in Austria and Silverstone.
From next year, however, the pressure will increase as he will become the clear No.1 when Carlos Sainz replaces the outgoing Vettel, but Binotto is confident Leclerc will rise to the challenge.
“I think that Charles is a great driver, no doubt, we all know that. He is a fantastic talent,” he commented via RaceFans.
“He’s very fast, he’s capable of battling, protecting the position, overtaking and I think when he is on track, he is certainly fantastic. I think there is nothing to prove or to demonstrate on that one.
“He is still very young and he still needs to get experience and he needs to develop as a man, as a person, as a leader, finally, for the team.
“If there is anything he is focused on at the moment it is really developing his leadership. Developing leadership means as well to help the team to progress and to get better results in the future and I think he is doing well in that respect.”
