919 replies to this topic

[Spillage]

The C4 team says they've had it confirmed that Leclerc has signed a two-year deal with Ferrari from next season. This appears to be corroborated by the BBC here: https://www.bbc.co.u...rmula1/44660670

 

I thought it'd be worth having a thread to talk about Leclerc's prospects, and perhaps also what this means for Kimi Raikkonen's future - reportedly, he's currently being pursued by Mclaren: https://www.motorspo...ng-back-mclaren

 

For the record, I think Ferrari are doing the right thing. Leclerc looks a top prospect and Kimi is clearly past his best. It's nice to see them take an uncharacteristic punt on youthful talent.

[pdac]

The C4 team says they've had it confirmed that Leclerc has signed a two-year deal with Ferrari from next season. This appears to be corroborated by the BBC here: https://www.bbc.co.u...rmula1/44660670

 

I thought it'd be worth having a thread to talk about Leclerc's prospects, and perhaps also what this means for Kimi Raikkonen's future - reportedly, he's currently being pursued by Mclaren: https://www.motorspo...ng-back-mclaren

 

For the record, I think Ferrari are doing the right thing. Leclerc looks a top prospect and Kimi is clearly past his best. It's nice to see them take an uncharacteristic punt on youthful talent.

 

I agree

[SCUDmissile]

That's it, it's happening.

BBC are always right, even when the wise men of Autosport racing comments never believe it (see: Hamilton to Mercedes, Alonso to McLaren, Raikkonen back to Ferrari etc.)

Fantastic news!

[f1paul]

I do like Kimi but it is time to go. Glad to see Ferrari put a young gun alongside Vettel, even if Vettel isn't happy about it.

 

Hopefully for Ferrari, Leclerc can push Vettel and vice versa because at the moment it's hard to tell if Vettel is getting the absolute maximum out of the Ferrari. Now we will hopefully know.

 

Edited by f1paul, 30 June 2018 - 12:17.

[Vesuvius]

That's it, it's happening.

BBC are always right, even when the wise men of Autosport racing comments never believe it (see: Hamilton to Mercedes, Alonso to McLaren, Raikkonen back to Ferrari etc.)

Fantastic news!

Actually they are always wrong when it comes to Kimi, they didn't believe in Kimi to Ferrari back in 2013. I wouldn't believe anything Benson, Autosport, some Italian,Spanish or Finnish media says. I won't say Leclerc-Ferrari will not happend, it can happend but I don't believe on it just yet.

[Vesuvius]

I do like Kimi but it is time to go. Glad to see Ferrari put a young gun alongside Vettel, even if Vettel isn't happy about it.

Hopefully for Ferrari, Leclerc can push Vettel and vice versa because at the moment it's hard to tell if Vettel is getting the absolute maximum out of the Ferrari. Now we will hopefully know.

He is getting the maximum out of it, there is nothing hard to say about that.

[MensRea]

Very uncharacteristic of Ferrari , still not a huge surprise .
Charles takes what should and would have been Jules' seat . I find some kind of poetic and sad romanticism in all this .

[ConsiderAndGo]

Could be a very exciting period for Ferrari fans.

He looks reliable, fast, consistent and hungry!

[Chunkinator]

Really really good news.

I usually don't have opinions as strong as this but I think it made the sport look really bad as a whole when 1 of the 6 race win capable cars was occupied by someone who just didn't have the quality to be there. I do feel the number 1 driver thing is a bit overblown - ferrari really wanted to have two top drivers for 2014 but with kimi underperforming (unable to adapt, I dunno) I think they just fell back on what they had for the past few years. If kimi showed he had consistent speed I think ferrari would have been very happy with that. I have confidence that ferrari will give leclerc a fair chance.

[barzini]

If true, good for the kid. He seems ready.

[f1paul]

He is getting the maximum out of it, there is nothing hard to say about that.

How do we know this though.

 

If you put Hamilton, Verstappen, Alonso, Ricciardo in the car they may be able to go faster. At the moment we have no comparison for Vettel other than Raikkonen who's not in my top five of fastest drivers anymore.

[steferrari]

As a Ferrari fan it's very exciting to see someone so young joining the team.

Plus he comes from our academy, so in some ways it's like seeing a promising talent of the youth team joining the starting 11 of your favourite football club! 

 

Until a couple of months ago my idea would have been to sign Ricciardo and to loan Charles to Haas, but then his performance improved massively so I have nothing against him joining straight away.

 

You can easily tell that he has a lot of talent and despite his young age he seems very mature already.

 

I can't wait to see what he can do with the red car!

[DILLIGAF]

Fantastic news if true. I think Leclerc has a great future. He'll learn a lot from Seb and appears very mature for such a young man. Some will question whether he's ready but I don't think Ferrari would pick him if they didn't think he was.

As for Kimi? A return to WRC beckons.

[Vesuvius]

How do we know this though.

If you put Hamilton, Verstappen, Alonso, Ricciardo in the car they may be able to go faster. At the moment we have no comparison for Vettel other than Raikkonen who's not in my top five of fastest drivers anymore.

I doubt they would go any faster, Vettel is a top driver.

[Spillage]

Leclerc's attitude is as impressive as his results. He said after the race last week that he was disappointed with his performance because he'd made an important error, despite the fact that it was probably his strongest weekend so far.

[trickle]

How do we know this though.

 

If you put Hamilton, Verstappen, Alonso, Ricciardo in the car they may be able to go faster. At the moment we have no comparison for Vettel other than Raikkonen who's not in my top five of fastest drivers anymore.

How do you will know this with Leclerc besides him? You may only will know that Leclerc is equal, faster or slower under the current circumstances, thats all. You will never know if any of them really gets the maximum out of the car. Thats the same for Hamilton or Alonso and even at RB with so said equal fast drivers. Its not possible.

Edited by trickle, 30 June 2018 - 12:33.

[SCUDmissile]

Actually they are always wrong when it comes to Kimi, they didn't believe in Kimi to Ferrari back in 2013. I wouldn't believe anything Benson, Autosport, some Italian,Spanish or Finnish media says. I won't say Leclerc-Ferrari will not happend, it can happend but I don't believe on it just yet.

Nope, they are usually always right.

https://www.bbc.co.u...rmula1/24016050

https://www.bbc.co.u...rmula1/29487911 (some racing comments wisemen had Vettel to join McLaren at this time )

https://www.bbc.co.u...rmula1/19489930 (remember many called EJ senile, insane etc after he broke this, he had the last laugh.)

Here are the receipts.

[allaboard70]

I love Ferrari, but I really want to see Kimi drive 2 more years for McLaren. It should be a great end of his career.  Leclerc is great! 

[TomNokoe]

I think it’s a great decision for Ferrari. He will not dare challenge Vettel. He will do everything they ask of him at the drop of a hat.

Edited by TomNokoe, 30 June 2018 - 12:35.

[trickle]

I think it’s a great decision for Ferrari. He will not dare challenge Vettel. He will do everything they ask of him at the drop of a hat.

If he is faster he will of course dare to challenge him, why not? Ferrari don't care who will win the title.

[f1paul]

How do you will know this with Leclerc besides him? You may only will know that Leclerc is equal, faster or slower under the current circumstances, thats all. You will never know if any of them really gets the maximum out of the car. Thats the same for Hamilton or Alonso and even at RB with so said equal fast drivers. Its not possible.

I did say "hopefully". I just don't want Leclerc to play the role Raikkonen is playing. 

[TomNokoe]

If he is faster he will of course dare to challenge him, why not? Ferrari don't care who will win the title.

He is Vettel’s servant until he retires.

[trickle]

I did say "hopefully". I just don't want Leclerc to play the role Raikkonen is playing. 

Its up to him, like its up to Kimi to perform better. I just don't see how will you know if anyone gets the maximum out of a car? You can do a lot of cross comparsions between former teamates and you will go crazy and never get a real answer, how good someone really is.

[Vesuvius]

Nope, they are usually always right.

https://www.bbc.co.u...rmula1/24016050

https://www.bbc.co.u...rmula1/29487911 (some racing comments wisemen had Vettel to join McLaren at this time )

https://www.bbc.co.u...rmula1/19489930 (remember many called EJ senile, insane etc after he broke this, he had the last laugh.)

Here are the receipts.

Nope they were late with their info and they were against Kimi to Ferrari rumours, there was only one source that said before summer 2013 that Kimi-Ferrari was going to happend, all the others said no never gonna happend, until week or two before the announcement they believed it lol

Everyone knew Vettel-Ferrari was going to happend, long before.

[trickle]

He is Vettel’s servant until he retires.

In your made up reality perhaps, but if Leclerc will be just faster, than I don't see why Ferrari should use him as a servant. But whatever makes you feel better I guess

[Vesuvius]

In your made up reality perhaps, but if Leclerc will be just faster, than I don't see why Ferrari should use him as a servant. But whatever makes you feel better I guess

First he has to be faster.Leclerc will find it tough, but he is a huge talent, but real test starts when he is a Ferrari driver, the pressure etc will be much higher. Ericsson is not a test at all, he is ok driver but not fast, Vettel is.

[Disgrace]

It will feel weird supporting Ferrari but if they put Leclerc in the car, I don't feel like I will have much of a choice.

[sopa]

 

Hopefully for Ferrari, Leclerc can push Vettel and vice versa because at the moment it's hard to tell if Vettel is getting the absolute maximum out of the Ferrari. 

 

Taking a "maximum" out of a car is always subjective. Who knows, there could even be a theoretical driver, who could take even more out of the car than Hamilton, Alonso or Verstappen take from their respective cars? There is no 'maximum', as in 'perfection'.

 

However, if Leclerc beats Vettel, it would simply mean he has got 'all-time-legend' levels of talent, because beating a multi-champion established top driver is a major scalp. You could argue Verstappen has established him as once-in-a-generation talent in a similar way by outpacing Ricciardo most of the time.

[Chunkinator]

Taking a "maximum" out of a car is always subjective. Who knows, there could even be a theoretical driver, who could take even more out of the car than Hamilton, Alonso or Verstappen take from their respective cars? There is no 'maximum', as in 'perfection'.

 

However, if Leclerc beats Vettel, it would simply mean he has got 'all-time-legend' levels of talent, because beating a multi-champion established top driver is a major scalp. You could argue Verstappen has established him as once-in-a-generation talent in a similar way by outpacing Ricciardo most of the time.

If leclerc beats vettel it will confirm that infact leclerc is indeed driving jesus

[Disgrace]

As a Ferrari fan it's very exciting to see someone so young joining the team.

Plus he comes from our academy, so in some ways it's like seeing a promising talent of the youth team joining the starting 11 of your favourite football club! 

 

Right. If he delivers quickly, I expect the tifosi to get behind him as they did with Alesi. Vettel has been too comfortable with Kimi in the other seat anyway. And for the sport as a whole, Vettel and Hamilton have dominated the sport for a decade with the exception of Button and Rosberg, who are retired. Times need to change.

[SCUDmissile]

He is Vettel’s servant until he retires.

Getting your excuses in early, in case Vettel beats him, I see

Nope they were late with their info and they were against Kimi to Ferrari rumours, there was only one source that said before summer 2013 that Kimi-Ferrari was going to happend, all the others said no never gonna happend, until week or two before the announcement they believed it lol

Everyone knew Vettel-Ferrari was going to happend, long before.

You got any stories to back these assertions up?

Anyways, not to get too hype, but if LeClerc does well for Ferrari, he can hit Alesi, and maybe even get close to Gilles status.

He's one of their own.

Edited by SCUDmissile, 30 June 2018 - 12:56.

[goldenboy]

Taking a "maximum" out of a car is always subjective. Who knows, there could even be a theoretical driver, who could take even more out of the car than Hamilton, Alonso or Verstappen take from their respective cars? There is no 'maximum', as in 'perfection'.

However, if Leclerc beats Vettel, it would simply mean he has got 'all-time-legend' levels of talent, because beating a multi-champion established top driver is a major scalp. You could argue Verstappen has established him as once-in-a-generation talent in a similar way by outpacing Ricciardo most of the time.

This post shows people have short memories lol.

[goldenboy]

Happy if this is true, ferrari is just not interesting at the moment with kimi and vettel.

[trickle]

Happy if this is true, ferrari is just not interesting at the moment with kimi and vettel.

Their current pairing is quite interesting for most of the people, maybe of course not if you looking for a tight team intern battle, but you got this at no top team, even at RB Verstappen is usually the faster guy, if he doesn't mess it up or have technical problems.

[goldenboy]

Their current pairing is quite interesting for most of the people, maybe of course not if you looking for a tight team intern battle, but you got this at no top team, even at RB Verstappen is usually the faster guy, if he doesn't mess it up or have technical problems.

Ha, i couldnt disagree more. Comparing the red bull drivers battle to ferrari battle is pretty funny though.

[trickle]

Ha, i couldnt disagree more. Comparing the red bull drivers battle to ferrari battle is pretty funny though.

Not if both have a clean weekend, then Max is usually as comfortable infront of Ric, as Seb is with Kimi.

[goldenboy]

Not if both have a clean weekend, then Max is usually as comfortable infront of Ric, as Seb is with Kimi.

Yet dan has 2 race wins, one of which is monaco and is leading comfortably on merit. Very similar to ferrari huh?

Anyway, shouldnt turn this into a red bull thread, but if u think the ferrari battle is still interesting with kimi there, lucky for you i suppose. I think most people fimd it boring though, cant understand how u think most people find it interesting.

Ps: as a webber fan, I feel your pain. However, was true then and is true now.

Edited by goldenboy, 30 June 2018 - 13:23.

[AlexPrime]

I hope that it's true. I like Kimi, but dealing with the constant accusations of his fans here is annoying   Leclerc is a great new talent and I hope that he and Seb have great seasons together.

[Yoshi]

Looks like the chapter Kimi is coming to an end.. let's see. 

[trickle]

Yet dan has 2 race wins, one of which is monaco and is leading comfortably on merit. Very similar to ferrari huh?

As I said, if both have a clean weekend, so I don't get your point with the race wins!?

 

Anyway, shouldnt turn this into a red bull thread, but if u think the ferrari battle is still interesting with kimi there, lucky for you i suppose. I think most people fimd it boring though, cant understand how u think most people find it interesting.

Did I say the battle is still interesting? I am sure I said pretty much the opposite. I said their pairing is interesting for I guess many people. There is no real team battle that is quite interesting at the top teams. You have in all 3 teams one driver, that is clearly faster then the team mate.

[Nathan]

Kimi to Alfa Romeo?

[Trust]

Looks like the chapter Kimi is coming to an end.. let's see. 

You seem to have credible source.

[Chunkinator]

Kimi to Alfa Romeo?

Kimi to his jacuzzi in his backyard.

[goldenboy]

As I said, if both have a clean weekend, so I don't get your point with the race wins!?

Did I say the battle is still interesting? I am sure I said pretty much the opposite. I said their pairing is interesting for I guess many people. There is no real team battle that is quite interesting at the top teams. You have in all 3 teams one driver, that is clearly faster then the team mate.

Clean weekend doesn't mean crap lol. If you bin it of your own accord all the time, being a tenth or 2 faster means nothing.

Ok my mistake, i thought you meant the battle is intetesting. For the record i dont see whats interesting about a pairing if the battle isn't interesting though. Doesn't make sense to me. Charles would be far more interesting.

[AlexPrime]

Kimi to his jacuzzi in his backyard.

I think he'd like rallycross

[Chunkinator]

I think he'd like rallycross

Ooooh yeah that would be great. Would be so much better if he did that than rally imo.

[Fastcake]

Come on Ferrari, hire LeClerc already.

It'll be by far the most interesting thing they've done for years. A young, talented, exciting driver clearly raring to take it to an established champion. Kimi is past it, and Ferrari's history of hiring clear number two's is so dull. I hope they are prepared to let Vettel and LeClerc race.

[Galoredk]

Come on Ferrari, hire LeClerc already.

It'll be by far the most interesting thing they've done for years. A young, talented, exciting driver clearly raring to take it to an established champion. Kimi is past it, and Ferrari's history of hiring clear number two's is so dull. I hope they are prepared to let Vettel and LeClerc race.

Leclerc could be WDC, but he could also fail if he is up against Vettel, Hamilton, etc too soon in a competitive car. If beaten by his future team m8 and his competitors the shine will wear off quickly. The chance he’ll beat them in his second season is imo significantly worse than if he gets s little more xp. IF he is well beaten he could be labeled a failure even though he has the potential to be a multi WDC.

[William Hunt]

If Ferrari drops Raikkönen, Kimi should not worry: he still has a big future in the ice cream business

[MikeV1987]

About time they take a chance on a young gun.