2019 Belgian GP - Spa Francochamps

[Nitrodaze]

This might have been the symbolic passing of the torch at Ferrari. At the very least for this race Leclerc deserbed #1 status. Before the season started I didvsay that by mid season Leclerc would have the measure of Vettel. ��

It is not the performance of Leclerc that impressed me the most, it is the fact that he is able to get the car to work the way he wants it more effectively than Vettel and also drive around any of the short comings of the car. He is clearly more hungry for wins than Vettel. But l still think it is too early to say that he has got the measure of Vettel because l think when Vettel gets the car the way he likes it, Leclerc would not be able to beat him in a straight fight.

This weekend, Vettel has struggled to setup the car to his liking. He raced with a compromise setup and looked slower for it. That said, the day belongs to Leclerc. We get to see that Verstapenn has stiff competition in Leclerc with a works Ferrari. When we ask the question, "Who is going to dominate F1 after Hamilton retires?" the answer is not clearly Verstapenn anymore. Leclerc with an improving Ferrari is looking very much the emerging candidate.

Which was my reason for denouncing all that talk about changing of the guards, suggesting Verstapenn is taking over from Hamilton. It is not that clear cut at this stage. Besides Hamilton is still the man to beat. The car has much to do with how things would shape out for Verstapenn or Leclerc. While Redbull is showing signs of making big steps forward, Ferrari is emerging as the team to beat in the future; especially in 2020. Mercedes seemed to have plateau their progression and one would expect 2020 to be even harder for them if they cannot find a new path for their future developments.

But you have to give credit to Binotto and Ferrari, they have handled the Leclerc vs Vettel situation in a very exemplary manner.

They other point is Mercedes has not started to nurture a young talent in readiness to take on Verstapenn and Leclerc. Which would suggest that Mercedes probably do not see themselves in F1 beyond Hamilton. Signing Ocon for 2020 would have at least suggested that they are preparing a candidate for the 2021 new regulation era. As it stands, my guess is Mercedes may be bailing out of F1 in 2021. There is also a small chance that Honda may leave F1 at the same time too. The future of the Renault works teams is not looking secure either.