FORMULA 1 : LECLERC A LEGITIMATE TITLE CONTENDER?

Poetic Justice? Congratulations KC! And to all the teams that competed – including Calabar – WELL DONE! We continue to show the abundance of raw talent and promise that we possess as a people.

Befuddled – an apt word to describe what must have existed in the Ferrari garage after the Australian GP. It was said and accepted, that Ferrari found a rather rapid gear in pre-season testing and the fear the new speed brought was tangible.

In Australia, Ferrari’s fortunes, like the weather, changed dramatically. Hurricane Bottas, swinging Category 5 punches, demolished the wattle and daub houses that the machines on the grid resided in, including that of his team-mate, five-times World Champion, Lewis Hamilton!

Scuderia Ferrari was not amused. So, the search for the lost horses began. Lol. Qualifying for the Bahrain GP provided confirmation that the horses were found and returned to their rightful place – Maranello!

VETTEL

Apparently, the newly minted victory/gold coin – Charles Leclerc – received a larger allotment of said horses than his team-mate, 4-times World Champion, Vettel. Is there another explanation for Leclerc, in only his second race with the team, outperforming his highly favored and #1 driver team-mate?  Leclerc -P1, Vettel – P2, Hamilton and Bottas followed, maintaining striking distance.

Plucky Vettel pranced ahead when red became black. Leclerc, possibly burdened by the moment and processing too much data, was bullied and shoved further, to P3, by a bullish Bottas. Hamilton tried to grab the scraps but was not quick enough. The lead-pack was comprised of Vettel, Bottas, Leclerc and Hamilton.

We are not affiliated with Paddock Pass and as such, insider information we are not privy to, but, I am interested in finding out who advised Ferrari to grab Leclerc. I will do the research.

LECLERC

Leclerc was disrespectfully brushed aside by a charging, more experienced, Bottas. Fiesty, tenacious and defiant in posture can be used to summarize Leclerc’s response. The cost -benefit analysis was hurriedly completed. The Mission Winnow was executed on Lap 2! It was abrupt. It was forceful. Bottas was forced to yield and view the bigger picture. Leclerc remained adamant and muscled by, exiting Corner 1.

BOTTAS

The power move by Leclerc caused Bottas to lose valuable ground, diamond-ground that Hamilton immediately mined for his own benefit. Should Hamilton thank Leclerc for creating the passing opportunity on his ‘updated’ team-mate? Hamilton moved to P3.

It was conceived in Australia. It died a team- death. In Bahrain it was redesigned and this time the team had no valid grounds upon which to issue a cease and desist. Incidentally, a report has surfaced which indicates that the team did try to ‘protect’ Vettel. Lol!

Leclerc, during qualifying, made it abundantly clear that contrary to the position held by the management unit at Scuderia Ferrari, his role on the team, re #1 or #2 driver, is yet to be determined. Leclerc claimed pole.

As stated earlier, Vettel snatched the lead with a lightning start. He must have been pleased with himself. Leclerc revisited the drawing board. Vettel was callously stalked. His demise was carefully calculated and executed on the same battlefield Bottas met his Waterloo – Corner 1. An outside move – Navy Seal Team 6 precision! Leclerc – P1!

Did he (Vettel) underestimate Leclerc?

Bottas, the rejuvenated edition and the winner of the Australian GP was casually dispatched and flung into an unforced error. The multiple World Champion, Vettel,  was mauled by a rampaging Leclerc a few laps later.

Qualifying was the day before – Leclerc secured pole. The Bahrain GP was only a few laps old and Leclerc was reading the riot act! Is Leclerc a legitimate title contender?

Cecil Munroe Gleaner On-Line Writer