Ferrari: claim about Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc team orders dismissed as complete nonsense
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Ferrari is set to field one of the most thrilling driver pairings in Formula 1 history with the addition of Lewis Hamilton alongside Charles Leclerc for the 2025 season.
Lewis Hamilton, who is in pursuit of an unprecedented eighth drivers' championship, has joined one of the most formidable teams in the sport in hopes of achieving his ambition. The Maranello team, having narrowly missed out on ending a 16-year championship drought by just 14 points last season, may now have the edge they need to secure a title, with the British driver potentially providing the final piece of the puzzle.
However, Ferrari faces a significant challenge in designing Lewis Hamilton's 2025 car, having opted to abandon their previous car concept in favor of an entirely new design. This move comes ahead of the 2026 F1 regulations and, while risky in the short term, is a bold and strategic decision that underscores their commitment to making this season a success.
This new approach also presents a challenge for Charles Leclerc, who must adapt to the revamped machine while simultaneously dealing with the pressure of being alongside a seven-time world champion in the team. The dynamic within the garage is set to be fiercely competitive.
The last time Ferrari’s two drivers faced such close internal competition was during Charles Leclerc’s debut season in 2019, where, despite Hamilton securing his fifth championship that year, the Monegasque driver outqualified him by two pole positions.
Dutch former racing driver and broadcaster Giedo van der Garde believes Lewis Hamilton stands to gain valuable insights from his new teammate, particularly given that qualifying—traditionally a strength of the British driver—has sometimes been a weaker area for him compared to his younger teammate. Lewis Hamilton is already working to close this gap in his preparation, but one pre-season will not erase Charles Leclerc’s six years of Ferrari experience. The two drivers are expected to be evenly matched on track, and Peter Windsor dismisses any notion of Ferrari enforcing team orders after the Monaco Grand Prix as completely unfounded.
The former Ferrari and Williams team manager stated that he believed the idea was “absolutely nonsense” and expressed doubt that Ferrari would enforce such a measure. He suggested that if anyone, including Ferrari, claimed they would, they would be misleading people. He firmly dismissed the idea as “complete nonsense.”
The Formula 1 journalist further argued that it would be highly unlikely for the Maranello team to implement such a policy at Monaco, emphasizing that it didn't make sense. He posed a hypothetical scenario in which Lewis won the first four Grands Prix, followed by an official announcement in Monaco naming him the team’s number one driver. He questioned whether this would mean that if Charles were about to win the British Grand Prix with Lewis in second and Lando in third, Charles would be expected to slow down in the final lap to allow Hamilton to take the victory. He expressed confidence that such a situation would not occur.
Piero Ferrari, the second and only living son of Enzo Ferrari, has suggested that Charles Leclerc may be facing a “generational issue” in his rivalry with Lewis Hamilton, highlighting the significant age gap of 12 years between the two Ferrari drivers. This difference in age translates to a wealth of experience and insight that Hamilton brings to the table, potentially putting Leclerc at a disadvantage.
Ferrari, however, sees the matchup between Leclerc and Hamilton as one where both drivers will possess distinct strengths, with each offering unique advantages in different areas. This dynamic has sparked excitement among fans, especially after Ferrari's promotion that showcased Hamilton and Leclerc together for the first time, both wearing the iconic red Ferrari gear.
The buzz surrounding this pairing emphasizes the intense anticipation for the competition that is expected to unfold between the two, beginning at the Australian Grand Prix in March. Fans eagerly await the start of what promises to be a thrilling season, where the two drivers will go head-to-head.
Before the racing action kicks off, the duo will have their first opportunity to experience the SF-25 at the Fiorano test track on February 19. This will be followed by the official pre-season testing in Bahrain, which will take place just one week later, allowing both drivers to fine-tune their preparations ahead of the season opener.
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