Charles Leclerc

Ferrari, Leclerc's 'golden cage' warning issued as 'frustation mounts'

12:54, 18 Aug

byNorberto Mujica

Former Formula 1 driver Christian Danner believes Charles Leclerc has been left questioning his career direction at Ferrari after another frustrating season.

Speaking to Motorsport-Magazin.com, Danner suggested the Monegasque has asked himself whether staying at Maranello can ever deliver the World Championship he craves.

“I’m convinced he’s also asked himself this year, ‘what am I even doing here? It’s going to be nothing again,’” Danner said.

“Leclerc is intelligent and a calm, analytical type. Of course, he’s thinking about whether his career at Ferrari will take him where he wants to go – the championship.”

Charles Leclerc after his pole position in Hungary

‘Leclerc needs to focus on what he has: No other top team needs him’

Despite his doubts, Danner argued Leclerc’s options outside Ferrari are extremely limited.

“Under certain circumstances, Mercedes. What Russell can do, Leclerc can do,” he explained.

“Red Bull is in the midst of an ultimate technical fiasco, and of course he has to deal with Max Verstappen, at least in the short term.

"At McLaren, it’s clear everyone would want to go there, but is he needed there? I’d say no.”

That leaves Leclerc facing little choice but to commit to Ferrari. “The alternatives simply aren’t there. Leclerc needs to focus on what he has," Danner concluded.