Martin Brundle warns 26-year-old driver he needs to ‘throw it in the wall’ less often

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Martin Brundle has told Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc that he needs to keep his car out of the wall next season if he wants to challenge the Red Bulls.

Brundle was speaking on the Sky Sports F1 Review Show about the Monegasque’s fortunes this year.

Charles Leclerc will come away from the 2023 season with a sense of frustration but also some positives to take.

The 26-year-old was sensational on Saturdays during qualifying but failed to convert those performances into as many points as he deserved.

Five pole positions without a win will be a concern for Leclerc and Ferrari and he should have finished a minimum of fourth in the Drivers’ Championship this year.

Brundle has told Leclerc he also needs to keep his car out of the wall more going into 2024.

The Ferrari driver failed to finish on four occasions alongside his disqualification in Austin.

A mechanical failure cost him points in Bahrain, while contact with Lance Stroll cost him in Australia.

A floor issue saw him retire in Zandvoort while he was in the barriers before the start in Sao Paulo due to another technical issue.

Brundle tells Leclerc to keep his Ferrari out of the wall

Asked what both Ferrari drivers need to do to improve in 2024 and challenge Red Bull and Mercedes, Brundle said: “A little bit of everything.

“They need more power, more downforce, better strategies and then Charles [Leclerc]’s got to stop throwing it in the wall quite so often and just maximise the full potential of everything they’ve got there.”

Leclerc has made mistakes in the past that have led to crashes and that’s why Brundle may be warning him about keeping his car out of the wall.

The race in Le Castellet last year saw Leclerc crash out of the lead as he was attempting to chase down Max Verstappen in the championship.

Brundle has full faith in Leclerc and has even suggested that he might be even faster than Verstappen if they were in the same car.

Leclerc appears to be confident that Ferrari can match Red Bull sooner rather than later.

He looks set to sign a new long-term deal with the team although Brundle has already warned him about committing too early.