Charles Leclerc looked like a future world champion from very early in his Formula 1 career and that potential is becoming very real after his dominant victory in the Australian Grand Prix.
The 24-year-old Ferrari driver’s second win in three races has moved him into a 46-point lead over the only man who at this early stage looks like a realistic title rival, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. There is a long way to go - 20 races still, in what is expected to be the longest season in F1 history - but the belief in Leclerc is starting to build.
Not the belief in his talent - that has always been there, and quite right, too, for Leclerc is one of the special ones - but in the possibilities within his car and his team.
Verstappen, meanwhile, realises he is already facing an uphill battle against a rival he has been racing on and off for 10 years and more, since long before they made it to F1.
The Dutchman’s second retirement in two races - both from different problems related to the Red Bull’s fuel system - has left him with a mountain to climb against a Ferrari team that looks stronger than it has been for years, perhaps even decades.
“We’re already miles behind,” Verstappen said. “I don’t even want to think about the championship fight at the moment. It is more important to finish races.”
Can anyone else enter the fight between them? Mercedes, remarkably, are second in both drivers’ and constructors’ championships, despite being a second off the pace after a poor start to the season. (BBC Sport)