BINGHAM
Ferrari and Leclerc now need a modern motorsport miracle
Charles Leclerc has been an undoubted star of the 2022 Formula 1 season and the biggest reasons behind his deficit to title rival Max Verstappen have concerned Ferrari reliability and strategy. But last weekend Leclerc made one of those fundamental errors we rarely see from the top drivers, costing him the French Grand Prix.
As Alex Kalinauckas shows in our report on page 14, Ferrari and Leclerc had performed brilliantly to offset Red Bull’s straightline speed advantage at Paul Ricard. The race was finely poised – with both teams reckoning they could win it – when Leclerc lost the rear of his F1-75. As well as taking the sting out of the race, the moment has made the championship ‘battle’ look more mathematical than realistic.
Ferrari has proved it can compete for victories at almost every track and has provided some great action this year. Team boss Mattia Binotto says there’s “no reason” why Ferrari can’t win the last 10 races but its poor conversion rate of two victories from the last seven strong chances suggests that it won’t. It’s also hard to see Verstappen and Red Bull letting a 63-point lead slip through their fingers…
Nevertheless, the new ground-effects rules and tiny performance differences between the F1-75 and RB18 should mean we get to enjoy plenty more good races in 2022. The Hungaroring this weekend could also allow Ferrari to hit back before F1’s summer break, when we hope to entertain you with some stories from motorsport’s rich history.
Kevin Turner Chief Editor kevin.turner@autosport.com
NEXT WEEK 4 AUGUST Hungarian GP and more Reports from Formula 1, Formula E, British Touring
Cars and the Spa
24 Hours
COVER IMAGES Carl Bingham/Motorsport Images
PIT & PADDOCK 4 F1 continues to argue over floor rules 6 Ferrucci could sub for Newgarden 8 Obituary: Paddy Hopkirk 10 Hungarian Grand Prix preview 11 Opinion: Alex Kalinauckas 12 Opinion: Damien Smith 13 Feedback: your letters
RACE CENTRE 14 French GP report and analysis 30 Newgarden wins then crashes at Iowa 34 World of Sport: FIA Formula 2; W Series; WTCR; ETCR; NASCAR Cup; Porsche Supercup
INSIGHT 42 Comparing two of Audi’s true DTM stars 46 Fenestraz and his battles in Japan
CLUB AUTOSPORT 56 Return of the Escort conqueror 61 Carrera Cup driver injured in crash 62 More British GT controversy at Spa 64 Strong entries for revamped Gold Cup 67 Opinion: Stephen Lickorish 68 National reports: Spa; Lydden Hill; Snetterton; Oulton Park; Anglesey
FINISHING STRAIGHT 76 What’s on this week 79 Top five Minardi Formula 1 drivers 80 From the archive: 1970 German GP 82 My favourite circuit: Thierry Tassin
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