Otmar Szafnauer advises Ferrari to support Charles Leclerc, avoid intervention
Motorsport.com • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 9, 2026, 12:46 PM
Last updated Aug 9, 2026
Otmar Szafnauer, former Alpine team principal, has suggested Ferrari should refrain from holding a formal mid-season meeting with Charles Leclerc, advocating for the team to support him through his current challenges. Speaking on the High Performance Racing podcast, Szafnauer highlighted that Leclerc, currently fourth in the drivers' standings with 138 points, should be allowed to focus on his performance amid competition with teammate Lewis Hamilton, who is second with 169 points. Leclerc has faced difficulties this season, including two retirements, but has also secured one win and three podium finishes. Szafnauer's comments come as Ferrari sits second in the constructors' standings, trailing Mercedes by 72 points.
- •Szafnauer urges Ferrari to leave Leclerc alone.
- •Leclerc ranks fourth in drivers' standings with 138 points.
- •Hamilton currently holds second in the standings with 169 points.
- •Ferrari trails Mercedes by 72 points in constructors' standings.
- •Leclerc has secured one win and three podiums this season.
- 12:46 PMMotorsport.com — Otmar Szafnauer tells Ferrari to 'leave Charles Leclerc alone' amid Lewis Hamilton battle
- 12:46 PMYahoo Sports — Otmar Szafnauer tells Ferrari to 'leave Charles Leclerc alone' amid Lewis Hamilton battle
"Former Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer has advised Ferrari management against calling Charles Leclerc in for a formal mid-season sit-down, insisting the Maranello outfit should "leave him alone" as he works through a challenging period alongside Lewis Hamilton. Speaking on the High Performance Racing podcast alongside former Ferrari race engineer Rob Smedley and host Jake Humphrey ...Keep reading
"Otmar Szafnauer has urged Ferrari to leave Charles Leclerc alone rather than intervene with a formal mid-season discussion
Sources
External links- Motorsport.comAug 9, 2026, 12:46 PMOtmar Szafnauer tells Ferrari to 'leave Charles Leclerc alone' amid Lewis Hamilton battle
Former Alpine team principal Otmar Szafnauer has advised Ferrari management against calling Charles Leclerc in for a formal mid-season sit-down, insisting the Maranello outfit should "leave him alone" as he works through a challenging period alongside Lewis Hamilton. Speaking on the High Performance Racing podcast alongside former Ferrari race engineer Rob Smedley and host Jake Humphrey ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsAug 9, 2026, 12:46 PMOtmar Szafnauer tells Ferrari to 'leave Charles Leclerc alone' amid Lewis Hamilton battle
Otmar Szafnauer has urged Ferrari to leave Charles Leclerc alone rather than intervene with a formal mid-season discussion
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