Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc appear to be one of the most evenly matched driver line-ups on the F1 grid, with the Ferrari team-mates sharing a race win each and nine podium finishes between them. However, the competitive nature between the seven-time world champion and Ferrari's beloved Monegasque has raised concerns about their ability to deliver a first drivers' title for the Prancing Horse since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007 and the first Constructors' crown since 2008.
Monza incident highlights concerns
The Italian Grand Prix at Monza earlier this month highlighted those suspicions as Leclerc crashed out of the race just two laps after pushing Hamilton off the track at turn one.
Hamilton's DNF in Spain the following week and finishing comfortably behind the Red Bull duo of Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar mean it's now been six races since Ferrari's last podium with Leclerc at Spa-Francorchamps in July, and Hamilton at Silverstone the race before.
Jock Clear backs Leclerc
Now at 28, the time for Leclerc to deliver on his promise and win a world title is nigh, and his former driving coach and senior performance engineer, Jock Clear, believes he does have what it takes to be a world champion.
Speaking exclusively to the Daily Star Sport, via betselect.co.uk, Clear said: "Charles works very hard. He's very reflective, he's very focused on what he's doing with his feet and his hands, and he's very detailed with the engineers."
"I think Lewis at Ferrari is a great opportunity for Charles to develop to the next level. I think it's what Charles needed."
Clear also worked as Hamilton's performance engineer at Mercedes, where the 63-year-old helped shape the Silver Arrows into the team they are today. Beforehand, he worked with Michael Schumacher at Mercedes and 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve at Williams as race engineer.
Leclerc's qualifying strength
He added: "I absolutely believe Leclerc can become a world champion. The great thing about the Charles-Lewis combination is that they can both learn from each other."
"Charles has a particular skill; his one-lap performance is exceptional. He is exceptionally good over one lap, and he is the best qualifier."
"Charles isn't as quick a driver as Lewis, but when it comes to qualifying, he is extra special. Having the two together is actually very healthy, I think."
Hamilton is third in the drivers' standings, but is over 100 points behind Kimi Antonelli, and 37 behind his old Mercedes team-mate George Russell, as one of the Silver Arrows stars looks sure to win the title. Leclerc is in 5th, 20 points behind Hamilton.
Despite the Scuderia's problems of late, they are still second in the Constructors' championship, albeit a long way behind leaders Mercedes.
