Emerson Fittipaldi now sends Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc warning on F1 ‘mistakes’

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Two-time Formula 1 champion, Emerson Fittipaldi, believes Charles Leclerc is ‘under more pressure’ than Carlos Sainz as his desperation can create friction inside Ferrari.

Fittipaldi is adamant that Leclerc could make his position at the Scuderia ‘more complicated’ for himself by eying impossible targets. He feels the 25-year-old’s desire to achieve results in F1 that are not currently on offer only ramps up the pressure on both, himself and Ferrari.

Leclerc is yet to win a Grand Prix in 2023 and has only scored three podiums so far this year. The Monegasque secured his best race result of the season with P2 at July’s Austrian GP. He also sealed third-place finishes at April’s Azerbaijan GP and at July’s Belgian GP this season.

Sainz beat Leclerc for his first podium of 2023 at Ferrari’s home round

Sainz, meanwhile, thwarted Leclerc for his first podium of 2023 at last Sunday’s Italian GP at Ferrari’s home event. The 29-year-old produced an incredible drive around Monza to defend from his teammate during the last laps following a resilient effort to hold back the Red Bulls.

Neither Max Verstappen nor Sergio Perez breezed past Sainz as he pushed the limits in his defending. The Spaniard put his Ferrari in the perfect spot to block the reigning F1 champion and his Mexican teammate. He had also put his Scuderia on pole in front of their loyal Tifosi.

Verstappen needed 15 laps to find a way past Sainz into Variante della Roggia after forcing a mistake into Variante del Rettifilo. Sainz locked up into the first chicane under pressure from the Dutchman, who then found the superior drive out of Turn 2 and through Curva Grande.

Sainz, similarly, made Perez bide his time and the 33-year-old needed 14 laps to get P2. The Ferrari pair then duelled for second, with Leclerc pushing until the end and locking up both front tyres at Turn 1 on the last lap. It meant Sainz could hold onto his first podium of 2023.

Fittipaldi warns Leclerc to find peace and avoid making mistakes

Now, Formula 1 legend Fittipaldi has claimed that Leclerc is under more pressure than Sainz at Ferrari. The Brazilian believes the pressure the Monegasque puts on himself and creates inside the team eying impossible targets will only lead to him making mistakes on the track.

“In my opinion, Leclerc is under more pressure than Sainz,” Fittipaldi told Tuttosport. “The Monegasque wants to achieve results that are not arriving, while the Spaniard seems to be more consistent in the race.

“A certain pressure can be created in the team and, on a mental level, it can make things more complicated for Leclerc. He must act with more calm, so he will make fewer mistakes.”