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Formula One F1 – Belgian Grand Prix – Spa-Francorchamps, Spa, Belgium – August 27, 2022 Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc before qualifying REUTERS/Stephane Mahe

via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Belgian Grand Prix – Spa-Francorchamps, Spa, Belgium – August 27, 2022 Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc before qualifying REUTERS/Stephane Mahe
The 2022 season started with a brilliant win for Charles Leclerc. After the Australian GP, the Monegasque driver had a 46 points lead over the adversary, Max Verstappen. But the situation drastically changed after Max conjured up a thumping comeback. The reigning world champion has destroyed everything in his wake and built a healthy lead for himself.
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Max’s dominance has been down to some unbelievable driving by him and some unforced errors by Charles. Former Ferrari Team Principal Jean Todt reveals the reason behind Max’s supremacy over Charles.
Jean Todt unravels the cause of Charles Leclerc’s failure
Everyone expected a Max-Lewis-like battle between Charles and Max this time around. But unfortunately, Max has been head and shoulders above Charles in every aspect after the first three rounds. And in races where Charles has had the pace, driving errors have not helped his cause.

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Formula One F1 – Dutch Grand Prix – Circuit Zandvoort, Zandvoort, Netherlands – September 3, 2022 Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc after qualifying in 2nd place REUTERS/Piroschka Van De Wouw
Jean Todt, talking about Charles’ tumbling season, said, “Charles is already a great champion. He still lacks something, I hope he has it soon.”
Damon Hill added: “Charles is a very charming, intelligent kid. But, he is anxious. He has got an anxiety there.”
Hill referring to Charles’ self-criticism, said, “The first time I heard him say that ‘it was all my fault’, I can’t imagine Michael Schumacher saying that ever.” He even jokingly gave him advice on this issue and said, “Don’t tell everyone, okay?”
Read More: Jos Verstappen’s Failures a “Big Advantage” for Max Verstappen: “Isn’t an Icon…”
We have talked about Charles’ sloppiness throughout the season. But, a 116 points lead can’t be attributed only to the arch-rival’s errors.
The robotic dominance of Max Verstappen
While Charles Leclerc has made his set of mistakes, Max has not put a foot wrong. There has been a stark difference between the Max of 2021 and 2022. The reigning world champion was rash at times in his championship-winning season last year. But Max seems to be calmer behind the wheel this time around.
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Formula One F1 – Italian Grand Prix – Autodromo Nazionale Monza, Monza, Italy – September 11, 2022 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates on the podium after winning the Italian Grand Prix as second placed Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc applauds REUTERS/Jennifer Lorenzini
Recently, ex-teammate Daniel Ricciardo, in an interview with Viaplay, applauded Max for his transformation. He said, “He already kind of proved his speed from 2016, if not earlier, but in 2018, I remember the first four or five races he had crashes and quite a lot of mistakes.”
“He quickly found a way to fix that and mature a lot. I think in 2018 he made the biggest transition from young boy into man, with some off-track maturity.”
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WATCH THIS STORY: Ferrari favorite Charles Leclerc spotted with French soccer bombshell Paul Pogba
Charles Leclerc must be disappointed after how far ahead Max has been in the last few races. Do you think Charles Leclerc can pull up his socks and put on a show for the Tifosi in the last few races of the season?
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