Charles Leclerc has rubbished claims that Ferrari Formula 1 team boss Mattia Binotto could be about to sacked, saying there are "always" rumours at the Italian Grand Prix. Ferrari have built a competitive car in 2022, but repeated strategic and operational errors mean it is not in contention with Red Bull for the titles. Lead driver Leclerc is 109 points behind Verstappen with just seven races remaining and is in a fight for second in the World Championship with Sergio Perez. Given the Scuderia's failure in 2022, there had been suggestions in Italy that Binotto would be relieved of his duties by his own bosses. However, Leclerc believes the rumours are just to be expected at Ferrari's home race.
Leclerc has won three Grands Prix in 2022 - in Bahrain, Australia and Austria - and was Ferrari's last winner at Monza back in '19 - but has only two podium finishes (Austria and Netherlands) since the Miami Grand Prix in May. "There are always rumours about a Formula 1 team and certainly at Ferrari," Leclerc explained to media including RacingNews365.com. "I think at these moments it is not important to get distracted by what is being said. "We are very united as a team and I think we need to keep going like this. "We've shown that we've been great from last year to this year with our performance and we need to keep working in that direction.
Vettel and Alonso weigh in
Former Ferrari drivers Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel also weighed in on the pressure being at the team can bring - with Alonso being as succinct as ever. "It's not a charity event," he said, having driven for the team between 2010 and 2014. "When you're at Ferrari and in Formula 1 in general, you have to perform. "If not, you will be kicked out. That goes for the driver, the mechanics, the designers and the bosses. "There is a lot of pressure, it's not a charity event but professional sport. Vettel, who drove in red between 2015 and 2020 added that: "When you are at Ferrari and you are in Monza, you will be confronted with rumours."
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