'Drive to Survive' Season 2: Ferrari's biggest challenge is to solve power struggle between Leclerc and Vettel
Spoiler alert for 'Formula 1: Drive to Survive' Season 2 'Seeing Red'
Ferrari took a gamble with Charles Leclerc. It was an unusual move picking the Monaco driver over old warhorse Kimi Raikkonen.
Leclerc bought with him some sheer daredevilry and intense pace, something that was distinctly seen when he first vroomed into fifth place in Australia at the start of the season. Since then, he's had 10 podium finishes out of which two were scintillating back-to-back wins in Belgium and Italy.
In Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari had the four-time world Champion and inarguably, one of the greatest drivers in the sport. And 2019 was a chance to notch up a fifth. However, his biggest competition wasn't exactly Mercedes or Red Bull, but Leclerc, part of a new breed of drivers unafraid of pushing it to the maximum.
'Seeing Red' is an entire 30-odd minute feature on Ferrari. They may have been notable absentees in Season 1, but this time there's substantial coverage of the rivalry between the two drivers, one that will continue in the races to come.
And for those who thought this was a classic case of the pupil and the teacher, it's not. Not one bit. The controversial move during the Singapore Grand Prix is a prime example which the docuseries delves into.
Leclerc, firing on all cylinders was asked to box as part of a strategy call. Not having put a foot wrong, Leclerc would be banging his head to the wall despite finishing second.
And there was no surprise when he expressed his displeasure quite vocally on the team radio. However, the desire to win and the maturity Leclerc displayed during and after the race puts him in the championship material.
Renowned F1 journalist, Will Buxton, sums up Vettel's challenge perfectly in the series: "I'll be damned if I give that position up my place to a rookie teammate." And in his defense, Leclerc may be Ferrari's future, but the lad has got to bide his time and or probably do one better because Vettel's not done.
It is perhaps Ferrari who'll have the biggest challenge in their hands. Managing two drivers bent on winning isn't an easy task, especially when Leclerc has all the talent, the skill and the ability to single-handedly take the Reds home.
He's proven that the hunger's far from diminished. Vettel has been Ferrari's winner and denting his confidence wouldn't do much good either.
The evident internal power struggle had its implosion during the Brazilian Grand Prix. The race weekend was a disaster with a double retirement and a crash, and Ferrari will be hoping to not see themselves in another similar situation.
This a conundrum Ferrari needs to crack. Will they? Only time will tell.
'Drive to Survive' Season 2 is available for streaming on Netflix.
