Raikkonen has also been prepared to play the team game for Ferrari when required. There’s no moaning – he just gets on with it. And then when he gets the chance, he goes for it. Though he came up just short, Monza is a prime example. Leclerc has shown pace, but he’s also had off weekends. Is it really best to bring in an unproven quantity when Ferrari have such great momentum?
In my view, Ferrari had time on their side before needing to promote Leclerc. Wait one more year and they would have had a driver who was still quick, but more rounded too. Put him in next year and, while there will be peaks, troughs are inevitable. That risks the constructors’ championship. It may also destabilise Vettel, which in turn could have a negative impact on the drivers’ title race.
