Photo: Ferrari media.

Verstappen has only one real rival on the grid, says historic Ferrari voice

11:01, 12 Jan

Updated: 11:50, 12 Jan

byTobia Elia

Historic Ferrari figure Jock Clear believes Charles Leclerc is the only driver capable of going toe-to-toe with Max Vesrstappen.

“Leclerc is the only driver capable of competing with Verstappen at the moment”

- Jock Clear

Despite never having mounted a genuine title challenge and boasting far fewer wins than his rival, the Monegasque is nonetheless singled out by Clear as the only driver capable of beating the four-time world champion.

The pair have already produced several memorable on-track battles — most notably at Silverstone in 2019 and in Bahrain and Jeddah at the start of the 2022 season — but have yet to find themselves fighting head-to-head for a championship.

“If we look at him this year, and no offence to the guys at McLaren, I believe that Leclerc is the only driver capable of competing with Verstappen at the moment,” Clear said via a betting site.

Photo: Race Pictures

“It might seem unfair towards Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who are fighting at that level. But 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.”

Hamilton backed by Clear through Schumacher comparison

Hamilton is entering a defining phase of his career, with the focus firmly on turning the page after the most challenging results-wise season he has ever endured and, at the same time, earning the trust of Ferrari’s tifosi following his high-profile switch from Mercedes.

Clear stressed that success in Formula 1 often requires patience, using Michael Schumacher as a clear reference point. He also drew parallels with Carlos Sainz, noting that the Spaniard initially found life difficult at Williams as he adapted to a new environment and a new benchmark set by his team-mate.

Read the full story here.

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