Jock Clear: Charles Leclerc is Max Verstappen's only true rival
Ferrari's Jock Clear believes Charles Leclerc is the only driver on the grid who can truly challenge Max Verstappen, placing him above the likes of Lando Norris in a direct head-to-head battle.
Veteran Ferrari engineer Jock Clear has named Charles Leclerc as the sole driver capable of going toe-to-toe with Max Verstappen. Despite the Monegasque driver never having mounted a serious title challenge, Clear believes Leclerc possesses the unique skill set required to outperform the four-time world champion, placing him ahead of other contenders like Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Why it matters:
- Clear's comments, coming from a highly respected figure within Ferrari who has worked with drivers like Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton, carry significant weight.
- It underscores the Scuderia's unwavering faith in Leclerc as their long-term solution to ending their championship drought and dethroning the dominant Red Bull driver.
- This perspective also fuels the broader F1 narrative about the pecking order beyond Verstappen, suggesting that raw speed and race craft, as demonstrated by Leclerc, are paramount to challenging the reigning champion.
The details:
- Clear stated, "If I had two cars and one was Max’s, and they asked me who I would want in the other to try to beat him, I would choose Charles Leclerc."
- He clarified this wasn't a slight to McLaren's Lando Norris or Oscar Piastri, but a personal choice based on Leclerc's specific abilities.
- The pair have a history of intense on-track battles, including memorable fights at Silverstone in 2019 and during the opening rounds of the 2022 season in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
- Despite these skirmishes, a championship fight between the two has yet to materialize, largely due to discrepancies in car performance.
Looking Ahead:
Clear's endorsement comes at a pivotal time for Ferrari, as the team prepares for Lewis Hamilton's arrival in 2025. The veteran engineer drew parallels to Hamilton's need for patience, referencing Michael Schumacher's own journey to build a championship-winning team.
- With Hamilton joining Leclerc, the internal dynamic at Maranello will be under intense scrutiny. Clear's comments serve as a strong public vote of confidence in Leclerc as the driver best equipped to lead Ferrari's charge against Verstappen in the coming seasons.