Debate | Leclerc looks less stable under pressure from Verstappen

No one started the season as steady as Charles Leclerc. The first races were marked by the thrilling duels between the Ferrari driver and Max Verstappen, in which both drivers remained virtually faultless, but also by the apparent supremacy of the F1-75. That picture now seems to have changed somewhat. What implications does that have for the Monegasque's confidence?

Since Red Bull Racing came up with a very successful upgrade package in Imola, the team seems to have taken over the role of the favourite. Ferrari still has updates planned so that picture could change again soon, but for now the RB18 looks like 'the car to beat'.

Leclerc makes mistakes under pressure

The 2022 Formula One season may have been dominated by the sizzling duels between Leclerc and Verstappen, but the Dutchman's DNFs in Bahrain and Australia have prevented the rivals from battling it out every race.

For Verstappen, every race he has completed so far this year has resulted in a victory, but since the updates Red Bull introduced in Imola, he seems to be having an easier time of it. Leclerc's first big mistake followed in the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, where Verstappen disappeared on the horizon and Perez was breathing down his neck.

Also in Miami Verstappen proved too strong in his RB18, but still a golden opportunity presented itself for Leclerc in the form of a late safety car. On the hard compound, the Monegasque seemed to have more pace, but a small mistake put him out of DRS range.

Are the races in Imola and Miami examples that Leclerc looks less stable than at the start of the season? And are the mistakes due to pressure from Verstappen and Red Bull, or is there another cause?