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Paris (AFP)
The king died, the king lived! The joint decision between the Ferrari fold and its German driver Sebastian Vettel to separate at the end of the season left Charles Locklear as the number one driver at Scuderia.
And if the official statements from Ferrari officials this year that Driver 1 and Driver 2 don’t exist, unlike last year when the armband was given to the German because of his experience and the four world leaders, things got set. upside down now, especially since Locklear comes from Monaco, and the latter is younger.A driver who sits behind the wheel of Ferrari when he joins the Wild Horse team in 2019 is a long-term investment.
Leclerc, who joined Ferrari and was the only one to join the Formula One stable, renewed his contract last December until the end of 2024.
Locklear managed to burn down the stages since he joined Ferrari in the summer of 2019. When Ferrari’s new manager, Mattia Pinotto, was asked about team hierarchy during his team’s preparations for the 2019 season after joining Vettel said: “They are free to compete”, but in the case of an “unclear situation”, Vettel is the “hero”.
Pinoto’s choice made sense, given that Vettel was crowned world champion four times, all with Red Bull and extensive track experience, while Leclerc was in his second season in Formula One and first on the red team.
Locklear discovered for himself that he was not the number one driver in the inaugural Grand Prix race when he scored faster than Vettel, but that “superior authorities” prevented him from overtaking his teammate.
In the next race, Locklear managed to secure first place at the launch of the Bahrain Grand Prix on the Sakhir Circuit and outclassed Vettel without prior agreement with senior team officials and was not denied his first coronation, except due to a technical failure.
It was also Locklear who opened the balance sheet for Ferrari’s victories, specifically at the Belgian Grand Prix at the Spa Francorchamps before Scuderia claimed his first victory in Italy since 2010.
Locklear’s popularity has increased with Tifouzi thanks to his talent, ambition, and the charisma he enjoys, especially since he is fluent in Italian.
Locklear won praise in the local media and said: “La Gaseta dello Sport” “managed to conquer everyone’s hearts: Scuderia, Ferrari fans loved six months after joining”, unlike Vettel, who gave him no title to Ferrari for five years of I was with the team.
Looking for Vettel’s successor
And if the competition between them climaxed during the collision between them at the Brazilian Grand Prix late last season, the two people are “in a very good deal,” according to Ferrari officials.
Locklear was quick to greet Vettel on social media on Tuesday, saying: “Being his classmate makes me very proud. We have had tense moments on the track. The good between them has not ended as we wish, but always with mutual respect. although this did not appear in the outside world. ” I had not previously learned how I had learned from you. Thanks for everything, September. “
The question arises of who will be the driver to replace Vettel in 2021 and what are the effects of this option on Locklear.
The issue of Lewis Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari is no longer on the table as it was some time ago, especially after comments he made in recent weeks confirming his desire to remain in the ranks of Mercedes.
Things seem to be limited to three drivers: Carlos Carlos Saines Jr. (McLaren), the Italian Antonio Jovincci (Alfa Romeo), the last of the Ferrari graduates, or even the Australian of Italian origin, Daniel Ricciardo (Renault).
© 2020 AFP
