Charles Leclerc Shuts Down Journalist After Annoying Max Verstappen Question

Leclerc wasn't happy to hear the difference between his own team and Red Bull rival Max Verstappen.

Charles Leclerc has shut down a journalist after they compared Max Verstappen's race wins to the Ferrari team over the last ten years.

It's no secret that Ferrari has been struggling to recapture their former glory on the Formula 1 circuit. The most successful team in the history of the sport has been watching from the sidelines as their rivals such as Mercedes and Red Bull rack up victories and championships. And now, Aston Martin are taking a (Mike) crack at stealing their podium positions. 

The Ghost of Ferrari's Past

Ferrari's track record speaks for itself. They are the most famous team in Formula 1, with an impressive history of success. But, that success has been a distant memory for quite some time. Their last world title was in 2008, and since then, they have been plagued with inter-team issues, power unit failures, and strategic errors.

We've been crying for Charles Leclerc for quite some time now after a number of issues have stopped him from attacking the title. The 2022 season was supposed to be their chance to shine. The team had designed what was arguably the best car on the grid, and hopes were high. But, as we all know, Max Verstappen and Red Bull were the ones who dominated the season.

Ferrari's Bahrain Blues

At the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix, Ferrari's new and improved engine was supposed to be the talk of the town. But, unfortunately, it was yet another power unit failure that stole the show. Charles Leclerc, the driver we all fancied taking a podium that weekend, retired from third place with yet another DNF.

It's not just one race; Ferrari's struggles have been ongoing. In the last decade, they have claimed a measly 23 wins, while Verstappen has claimed 25 in just two years. It's a stark reminder of how far Ferrari has fallen, and Leclerc didn't take kindly to being reminded.

Leclerc's Dramatic Interview

“Do you know how many Grand Prix Verstappen has won over the last two years?” the Monogasque was asked on an interview with Canal+.

“No, but keep the numbers to yourself,” Charles retorted, unwilling to know the performance difference between his team and Verstappen, especially after a poor start to the 2023 season. 

Despite this, the journalist continued to probe:

“25 in two years for him," they said. “Do you know how many Ferrari has won in the last 10 years?”

"No, but it’s going to hurt" Leclerc responded. 

“23,” was the answer. 

Can Ferrari Bounce Back?

The big question is, can Ferrari bounce back? It's hard to say. The team has a lot of work to do if they want to be competitive again. They need to address their internal issues, get their technical gremlins under control, and make strategic decisions that doesn't put their race in danger. 

But, it's not all doom and gloom. Ferrari is a team with a lot of history and a lot of pride, and with Fred Vasseur now behind the wheel of team principal, the Prancing Horse has been working harder than ever to show fans the success they're expecting.  They won't go down without a fight. Fans of the Prancing Horse will be hoping that they can turn their fortunes around and recapture their former glory.