F1 | Ferrari, don't clip Leclerc's wings...

A change of register, of approach, in words, in attitudes. In just a few months - those that have passed since the announcement of his engagement at the winter tests - Charles Leclerc has gone from aggressive and combative statements to more prudent and humble ones. From an aggressive impact to the limits of braggadocio – “Learning sure but I'm here to win” – to a much more politically correct one: “Driving the Ferrari already puts pressure, I just want to work on the car, I only have to learn from a teammate like Vettel”.

In the midst, precisely at the presentation of the SF90, the tombstone for the aspirations of the very young budding Monegasque phenomenon had been placed by none other than Mattia Binotto himself, who laconically stated as follows: "Our guide remains Sebastian Vettel. We have a formidable pair of drivers, but Charles still has a lot to learn, he says so himself. He will have a good reference in Vettel." End.

This is how Ferrari, from the courageous team that launched Leclerc, for once not caring about internal hierarchies and focusing on a young champion, seems to have returned with a triple pike backwards to its more conservative and traditionalist nature, to the usual boredom of roles well defined, of the faithful squire who“let him pass because he is faster than you“. And what a drag! I wonder why "switch off" Leclerc like this with the bowls stopped, why already on paper clip the wings of this boy on the launching pad, who brings with him enthusiasm, smiles, freshness, desire to do, to learn, to sweat, but even to surprise and maybe win, it's all about giving him the chance.

I believe that talent, in any field, should be given free rein. Geniuses - provided they demonstrate that they are such - must be given maximum freedom, without caging them into pre-established patterns from the start. It's not even worth talking about wanting to take pressure off the Monegasque; a truly predestined person is exalted in the face of a difficult challenge, Hamilton in 2007 docet.

And then Sebastian Vettel certainly doesn't need to be protected, protected, erected for status first driver of the Rossa. This is a natural position for a four-time world champion of such experience, but it should be confirmed on the field, even and above all in the riskiest corners of a challenge on equal terms with a young talent like Charles.

I think of Red Bull and the carte blanche given to Verstappen, left free to make mistakes and grow, always supported to the maximum. And it almost seems counterintuitive to hire Leclerc and then relegate him ex officio to the role of second driver. Of course gregarious. One already thinks of internal discussions, of the usual political jargon, of everything that Binotto's Ferrari seemed to have swept away with its breath of fresh air. Dear Cavallino, come on, don't be the Leopard.

Antonino Rendina

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