Binotto: Leclerc driving at title-contending level

Mattia Binotto believes Charles Leclerc is currently driving at a level that can take him to a World Championship title.

The Ferrari driver has diced with Max Verstappen at both races so far this season, the pair taking one win apiece as they have fought at the sharp end of the field.

After being narrowly beaten by his team-mate Carlos Sainz over the course of last season, Leclerc has flown out of the blocks in 2022 and was largely the quicker of those two drivers in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia – although Sainz has “interesting theories” to explore in how he can turn the tables.

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The Monegasque driver signed a long-term deal with Ferrari as his future with the team was cemented, and Binotto says that faith placed in him was borne of the fact the team feel he has the talent to keep fighting at the top in a front-running car.

“I think he is,” Binotto told reporters when asked if Leclerc is driving like someone who could be a title challenger, per The Independent.

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“But it’s something I was expecting when renewing as well with him in the last year for up to 2024, because we know what he is capable of.

“I think he is simply demonstrating he is capable of fighting for the championship.

“No doubt he’s