Ferrari boss accuses Charles Leclerc of ‘making mistakes’ and plans summer talk

Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur has claimed Charles Leclerc has “made mistakes” at Ferrari as he details when contract talks may begin. Leclerc has struggled in 2023 with the Monegasque lying 14 points behind team-mate Carlos Sainz in the Drivers’ Championship.

It comes after the Ferrari star has suffered notable errors including crashing in qualifying for the Miami Grand Prix. Last year, he was also embroiled in a range of errors including accidents at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and while leading in France.

Vasseur told Corriere della Serra: “Charles, on the other hand, is capable of doing magic in qualifying, of going further. But he sometimes goes beyond the limit, always seeking the maximum even when the car cannot give it.

“He always wants to win, so he can make mistakes like at the beginning of the season. We talked about it together.” Both Leclerc and Sainz are out of contract at the end of next season meaning bosses will soon have to sit down for talks.

It comes just weeks after Ferrari was linked with a high-profile move for Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton. Reports suggested the Scuderia could offer the seven-time champion £40million to make the switch to the Italian marque.

A deal would have left either Leclerc or Sainz out of a drive but Ferrari bosses have denied making an approach. Leclerc was also touted as a possible successor to Hamilton at Mercedes but stressed he had not held talks with Toto Wolff.

The 25-year-old continued to pledge his allegiance to Ferrari despite being unable to challenge for the title. However, Vasseur has now confirmed contract talks could begin in weeks as they aim to secure their line-up.

He added: “There’s 18 months left until the deadline, so is Charles. At this moment, introducing the renewal topic would be a distraction, I told their managers a couple of weeks ago. The priority is for the drivers to work together to develop the car. Then during the summer, or after, we’ll start talking about it.”

But, Sainz delivered a bombshell earlier this week as the Spaniard suggested he could walk away from Ferrari completely. He stressed he didn’t like starting a season without a new deal in place and would be prepared to quit if negotiations were not finalised.

He told It.motorsport.com: “For this season, a priority next winter will be to clarify my position, being understood that for me, the main objective is to win one day at Ferrari, something I have made clear many times.”