Breaking News in Road Racing
In a surprising move, Ferrari announced on Thursday that Xavi Marcos, Charles Leclerc’s trusted race engineer since 2019, will be stepping down from his role effective next week, ahead of the Emilia Romagna GP. Marcos will be reassigned to contribute his valuable experience to “other important company programmes” within the Scuderia.
A History of Tension
This development comes after a series of tense exchanges between Leclerc and Marcos over the years, often centered around race strategy decisions. The most recent incident occurred at the 2024 Chinese GP, where a bizarre radio misunderstanding left Leclerc bewildered. Marcos had suggested Leclerc return to his “original line” at a certain part of the Shanghai track “for comparison,” prompting a confused response from the driver.
The Full Ferrari Statement
“Organisational update: Ferrari announces that, as of Monday 13 May, Xavi Marcos will bring his valuable experience gained as a race engineer with the Formula 1 team to the development of other important company programmes.”
What’s Next for Ferrari?
Bryan Bozzi, Leclerc’s current performance engineer and a 10-year veteran with Ferrari, will take over as race engineer from the Imola round. Meanwhile, speculation surrounds Lewis Hamilton’s impending arrival at Ferrari in 2025, replacing Carlos Sainz. It remains to be seen whether Hamilton will bring his long-term Mercedes race engineer Peter Bonnington with him to Ferrari.
The Implications for Road Racing
This unexpected move has sent ripples through the Formula 1 paddock, highlighting the importance of strong communication between drivers and engineers in high-pressure racing environments. As the Road Racing News world watches, Ferrari’s decision may have significant implications for the team’s performance in the coming seasons.
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