Despite Charles Leclerc stretching a considerable lead over his peers thus far in the new F1 campaign, it’s too early to write off the likes of Red Bull and Mercedes. That’s the view of former team chief Giancarlo Minardi, who has suggested small changes could be all that’s required to restore some competition at the head of the grid.
Ferrari currently look like good value to win their first F1 world championship since Kimi Raikkonen guided them to the crown in 2007. Leclerc leads the way on 71 points—34 ahead of Mercedes newcomer George Russell in second—while Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen have staggered out of the blocks and sit fifth and sixth, respectively.
Two wins from three has put Leclerc in the ascendancy for a maiden world title. He and third-placed team-mate Carlos Sainz are the only drivers in the field to have podiumed in more than one race thus far, with Leclerc claiming wins in Bahrain and Australia.
Even though the Dutchman’s points tally (25) is almost a third of Leclerc’s, Verstappen need not be dismissed in the bid to retain his crown, however. “Verstappen is not that far behind,” Minardi, 74, told Milanese daily Corriere della Sera.
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