Alesi: Leclerc, not Verstappen, is self-critical

  • Published on 12 Sep 2019 09:13
  • 6
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Former Grand Prix driver Jean Alesi has highlighted the main differences between Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen, insisting the former is self-critical. 

Leclerc won the Italian Grand Prix last weekend, following on from his maiden F1 win at the Belgian round one week prior at Spa-Francorchamps. 

Verstappen also has two wins to his name this season, with many predicting that the two 21-year-olds will go on to achieve greatness in the coming years in F1.

At the Austrian Grand Prix earlier this year, Verstappen overtook Leclerc in the final laps to take the race win and deny Leclerc what would have been his maiden F1 victory. 

Leclerc and Verstappen are 'different characters' 

However, Alesi believes that both are different characters, insisting that Leclerc is able to admit when he is in the wrong after making a mistake on the circuit.

"It is true that they have different characters," said the former Ferrari driver to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

"This could mean they grow in opposite directions. Charles always brings himself into the discussion - he is always critical of himself.

"Think of his mistakes in Baku and Hockenheim. He looks back on those errors, analyses them and then corrects himself. Verstappen often concludes that his problems lie with others."

Alesi added that it is "more difficult to grow as a driver with that approach", referring to Verstappen. 

Alesi, who has 202 Grand Prix starts to his name, has his son Giuliano racing in the FIA Formula 2 championship with Trident. 

Replies (6)

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  • JuJuHound

    Posts: 352

    Everybody are praising last GP winner making him a hero of the day, next time Max win the race will get same applause. Jean is Ferrari man. I'm sure he wants Giuliano racing out there in the future. But since Seb is not doing well I think Mick Schumacher could be the man in 2021.

    • + 0
    • Sep 12 2019 - 09:19
    • True, but I think it goes a bit beyond just praising the driver or winner of the day. It's more about admitting your mistakes and learning from them to get better is what he is talking about. LeCLerc is one of the most mature youngsters I've seem come on to the scene in a long time.

      • + 0
      • Sep 13 2019 - 01:24
  • But it's true. Max do belong to the cathegory of driver that prefer to blame other factos than themselves. I don't necessarily agree he doesn't learn from his mistakes, there has been a significant improvement over the years, but I do think it limits him somewhat.

    • + 1
    • Sep 12 2019 - 12:32
    • It's true. Didn't want to come out and say it so as not to upset his fanboyz but that's what sets the greats apart, is that they can be self critical and learn from their mistakes instead of always blaming something or somebody else. Hamilton is probably the best example of that in recent times. I never would have believed he could have improved so much if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes.

      • + 0
      • Sep 13 2019 - 01:22
    • I dunno, I'd probably say Hammy ain't the best example of that, especially the "self-critical" aspect. But he has indeed improved.

      • + 0
      • Sep 13 2019 - 06:14
  • abhidbgt

    Posts: 283

    That did have some truth to it.

    • + 1
    • Sep 12 2019 - 15:38

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