Damon Hill explains how Fernando Alonso can save Charles Leclerc from Ferrari

Fernando Alonso could be persuaded to give up his Aston Martin seat in order to make room for Charles Leclerc if the latter pushes to leave Ferrari, according to one-time Drivers’ Championship winner Damon Hill. Leclerc has endured a turbulent time of things with the Maranello squad over the last couple of seasons, with their questionable strategy calls leaving him frustrated on more than a few occasions.

The 25-year-old was furious after failing to reach the final stage of qualifying at last weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix, with Ferrari choosing to leave him out on intermediate tyres in Q2 despite many other drivers switching to slicks as the track was drying out. It meant that Leclerc failed to reach Q3 for the second time in a row, which sparked an angry reaction over his team radio after being let down once again.

It has been speculated in recent months that Leclerc could soon reach the end of his tether at Ferrari if they fail to get their house in order, although there would be a lack of attractive options for the Monegasque driver elsewhere on the grid in advance of next season.

Hill, however, believes that Alonso could be convinced to step aside at Aston Martin in exchange for a lucrative pay-off.

“What options are there [for Leclerc]? There aren’t any,” he exclusively told Express Sport when quizzed on what the future may hold for Leclerc if he loses patience with Ferrari.

“I suppose he could look at Aston Martin but I think Fernando’s got a two-year contract with them anyway. I think he’d probably step aside if they paid him enough money, but I don’t think he wants to give up a competitive drive.”

Leclerc remains tied down to Ferrari until the end of 2024 as things stand after signing a bumper five-year deal with the Italian team back in 2019. However, it remains to be seen whether he will be prepared to agree extended terms in the near future if they fail to improve their strategic decisions, which have ended up costing Leclerc plenty of valuable points over the last few seasons.

Hill, meanwhile, was speaking to Express Sport from the Damon Hill Festival of Karting event after getting behind the wheel of a kart powered by Zero synthetic fuel. It marked the first time worldwide that a kart had been driven with synthetic fuel in the tank, with the demonstration showing the paradigm shifting away from fossil fuels to other carbon-neutral options.

“The great thing is they can just put it straight into the petrol tank, and the kart went fine and ran beautifully. That’s a little added excitement for us,” said Hill.

“This charity event, we’ve been doing it for 10 years and it’s for young people with learning disabilities so it’s great to create a little bit more attention for what we’re trying to do and what the charity is trying to do as well. It’s something that is going to be part of our future, I think.”

Follow our Express Sport page on Instagram here.