Jacques Villeneuve suggests Charles Leclerc 'work on his communication' with Ferrari

Former Formula 1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve criticised Charles Leclerc for his behaviour over the Ferrari team radio at Silverstone.

Ferrari looked set for a one-two finish at the British Grand Prix after bodywork damage eliminated Max Verstappen from the fight for first. Still, strategic errors cost the Italian team as Leclerc dropped from first to finish fourth.

Villeneuve wrote in his column for Formula1.nl that he was disappointed with how Leclerc communicated with his team, as he seemed to assume he was already the number one driver at Ferrari and should therefore receive preferential treatment over teammate Carlos Sainz.

"What he needs to work on is his communication with the team," wrote Villeneuve.

"Sure, Sainz was slower, but a one-two was definitely on. The moment they made the tyre change made sense otherwise because they were losing the race at that moment. But that was not the case in the previous phase.

"Then Leclerc spoke as if he had already definitively been declared lead driver, and he is not, including contractually. It's too early for that - Sainz still has a chance.

"So I think Ferrari will not be very happy with the tone on the radio. Leclerc asked for a decision, and it came 'Sainz has been told to pick up the pace'. That should be enough, and then the radio messages should also stop. Banging on about it is useless - everything is broadcast, and that's not good for Ferrari either. Do that behind closed doors after the race."

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