“Roger Federer of F1”: Max Verstappen’s Sworn Enemy Was Once Tipped to Emulate Tennis Royalty’s Success Despite Recent Heartbreak

Published 12/31/2022, 8:05 AM EST

After a promising start to the season, Ferrari’s championship bid unraveled as they succumbed to the mighty Max Verstappen. But if the team from Maranello wants to beat Verstappen and Co. in 2023, they’ll have to dig deeper than ever before. That being said, irrespective of the field, winners and champions have a thing or two in common that allows them to relentlessly strive towards glory. And for Charles Leclerc, that seemingly isn’t a problem.

Ferrari has had a stack full of world-class drivers who have driven for them and tasted the eternal champagne of Formula 1 glory. South Africa’s Jody Scheckter did the same in 1979. Needless to say, he knows a thing or two about winning in a Ferrari. And he has passed on a compliment to Leclerc that would definitely go down well with the Ferrari man.

Article continues below this ad

He told RaceFans, “I have never looked at a driver where I thought, “Wow!” Not even when I was racing or afterward, but Leclerc is the first driver where that thought occurred to me. It’s really true and, I hate to say this, I almost feel an affection for that boy.”

“He is always so calm, it seems that he is a very nice guy and he is very talented. But the unusual thing is: how does such a boy come from Monaco? I see him as the Roger Federer of Formula 1. Hopefully, he can get the same results.”

Charles Leclerc Given Painful Slap on the Face Regarding Battle Against Max Verstappen

Scheckter isn’t the only one who has his money on the Scuderia and Leclerc. As it turns out, another ex-F1 star has full faith in what the team from Maranello can do in 2023.

Romain Grosjean backs Ferrari and Charles Leclerc for 2023 glory

Article continues below this ad

The way 2022 panned out for Ferrari, has been disappointing, to say the least. And this isn’t lost on Grosjean, too. He told Motor Sport Magazine, “After the first three races you’d be crazy not to think that Ferrari is going to be world champion with Charles Leclerc. And here we go, they almost didn’t finish second.” However, 2023 could be completely different.

The ex-Haas driver feels, “I think Ferrari is going to be strong next year,” the former Haas racer added. “Charles has been doing a great job – he made a few mistakes, but it’s always when you try to catch up that you make mistakes… I’m very impressed with Charles and I think Ferrari is going to learn from this year and I think they will be in the mix next year.”

Article continues below this ad

WATCH THIS STORY: Charles Leclerc in a heated debate over Dinner time conversation with a Max Verstappen fan

Can Ferrari really get it all together and topple Max Verstappen & Co. from their throne of dominance?

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Anirban Aly Mandal is a Formula 1 Author at EssentiallySports. In his pursuit for a Bachelor's degree in Law from Symbiosis Law School, he has written multiple academic papers centered around the domain of motorsports. Not only that, but due to his love for F1, he aims to work as a legal advisor in the most prestigious racing series in the world some day.

Edited by:

Varunkumaar Chelladurai

“Roger Federer of F1”: Max Verstappen’s Sworn Enemy Was Once Tipped to Emulate Tennis Royalty’s Success Despite Recent Heartbreak

Romain Grosjean backs Ferrari and Charles Leclerc for 2023 glory

Trending

Coco Gauff Drops Adorable Wish to Celebrate Boyfriend’s Birthday Amid Hectic Madrid Open Stint

‘Why Are You So Stressed Out?’- Roger Federer’s Wife Mirka Turned Huge Inspiration for Zendaya’s ‘Challengers’, Confesses Script-Writer

‘Can’t Stand Her’- Tennis Fans Left Unimpressed as Danielle Collins Displays Fit of Rage at Madrid Open

Madrid Open: Rafael Nadal Loses Cool at Chair Umpire Fergus Murphy in Heated Scenes After Getting Robbed Off a Challenge

Madrid Open 2024: Mirra Andreeva vs Jasmine Paolini; Preview, Head-to-Head, Prediction