What we witnessed at the Silverstone Grand Prix is nothing more than the repetition of a constant. The Scuderia was unable to capitalize on the misfortunes of others, and the loser, as usual, was the jewel of Maranello. Friday it's back to tearing the asphalt on Austrian soil, and Leclerc has only one goal: to return to victory.
Failure to exit the negative spiral
If you look at the results of the Monegasque in the last five rounds, one doubts whether he is actually a rider fighting for the title. Still, the performance of the F1-75 gives the right to consider Charles a menacing contender for Max Verstappen.
Leclerc has been betrayed in recent races, first from an engine, in Spain and Baku, then by suicidal strategies implemented from the wall in which a driver places maximum trust, you see Monaco and the most recent Silverstone. The Ferrari driver is sixth in points earned by Spain onwards: the total is 34, a chilling figure that casts doubt on even the most optimistic hopes of a recovery of the Dutchman.
Leclerc: hope is the last to die
Behaviors, words to the microphones and grit clearly testify that Charles doesn't let go. The driver waited for four long years before having a single-seater worthy of the top positions, and now he certainly won't backtrack on his ambitions. The leader of the drivers standings is far away… very far away. 43 are the points that separate it from the summit, and the fact that it has only shortened the gap by six points on a bad Sunday for the leader, he has and will have considerable weight in the final stages of the season, whether Leclerc is prey or predator.
Direction Austria: more variables for a crucial Sunday
We said it before and we repeat it, pre-summer break poker will be crucial for the title fight. Now a trio remains, and to date the hay placed in the farmhouse does not satisfy the fans of the red. The next stop is Austria, but there is something different, and that thing is there Saturday sprints. It is a variable that should not be underestimated, as it adds to the weekend a more risk for everyone, but as known, high risk = high reward.
La Ferrari he has so far played defense, as if to manage a margin that is actually to be filled. Red Bull instead he continues to handle situations as if he were in full attack mode, and so far it has paid off. The Sprint variable, therefore, is a factor that could act as a watershed between success and failure, and in determining the result, cohesion between team and driver is needed.
Charles, as in the opponent's box, it is in predator mode, and we saw it on Sunday, just think of overtaking Hamilton in a corner where it is physically unlikely to go out side by side without scars. The Scuderia, on the other hand, is not, at least until now, and to maximize the result we cannot afford a different approach between the wall and the rider. Austria calls and Leclerc is ready to answer, but will Ferrari throw away the keys to the cage or will he lend a hand to the pearl in his hands?
