Former F1 driver observes Charles Leclerc's 'claws' ahead of Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari F1 move
Yesterday at 03:18 PM
Lewis Hamilton has officially joined Scuderia Ferrari, setting up one of the most captivating dynamics of the 2025 Formula 1 campaign: his relationship with Charles Leclerc. For now, the two drivers seem to have a good rapport.
Hamilton and Charles Leclerc share mutual interests beyond racing, such as fashion and music. They even arranged a meet-up for their dogs, Roscoe and Leo, during last year's British Grand Prix. On the track, they appear to share similar values; Charles Leclerc even criticized Max Verstappen's tactics against Lewis Hamilton in the 2021 season to the race director.
The critical question remains: can they maintain harmony while competing in equal machinery? The Monegasque driver, who has been with Ferrari since 2019, has outperformed his previous teammates, Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz. However, Lewis Hamilton poses his toughest challenge yet, even if this isn't the peak version of the seven-time world champion. Hamilton might also face a period of adjustment in the first half of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
Naomi Schiff speculates that Charles Leclerc could unsettle Lewis Hamilton by communicating with Ferrari engineers in Italian. However, former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya offers a different perspective.
Juan Pablo Montoya predicts that Lewis Hamilton's arrival might disrupt Ferrari's internal peace, creating doubts in Leclerc's mind. He suggests that during negotiations, Ferrari may have offered Hamilton preferential treatment, including a stronger say in car development, to entice him away from Mercedes. This scenario could make Leclerc anxious and lead to emotional reactions.
Juan Pablo Montoya cited Charles Leclerc's behavior during the Las Vegas GP at the end of last season as an example. Frustrated by Carlos Sainz's refusal to follow team orders as expected, Leclerc vented angrily over the radio after the race. Despite engineer Bryan Bozzi's attempts to pacify him, Charles Leclerc lamented that “being nice” seemed to get him nowhere, showing a more assertive side.
The former Formula 1 driver expressed uncertainty about the level of harmony within Ferrari, suggesting that Charles Leclerc might not fully cooperate. He speculated on the challenges the team could face with Lewis Hamilton’s arrival as a teammate, noting that such a situation could lead Charles Leclerc to question whether Hamilton enjoys superior treatment or priority within the team. Montoya believed Hamilton likely has a clear understanding of his role and that Ferrari's management, in their discussions with him, would have been explicit about giving him significant influence, including leading car development and having his preferences prioritized.
Referring to Charles Leclerc’s frustration during the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Montoya remarked that the Monegasque had already shown his assertive side and left it open to see how the dynamic would unfold.
Charles Leclerc faces the challenge of living up to the expectations that earned him his iconic nickname. His partnership with Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari might be relatively short-lived, as Hamilton's current contract extends only until the end of 2026, with an option to continue into 2027 if both parties agree. However, the long-term future at Ferrari is already being speculated, with Oliver Bearman widely regarded as the team’s next rising star, provided he performs well at Haas alongside Esteban Ocon.
The Monegasque, though, cannot afford to focus too much on the distant future. His priority must be to seize the opportunity presented by Hamilton's tenure and aim for championship glory before the seven-time world champion departs. Winning at least one title during this time would not only solidify his place as one of the greats but also assert his dominance within the team. Triumphing in the high-stakes intra-team rivalry with Hamilton while lifting the coveted vase-shaped championship trophy would be the ultimate validation of his potential.
Years ago, a young Charles Leclerc boldly declared that he would never allow a teammate to take the championship ahead of him. That defiant statement earned him the moniker 'Il Predestinato' (The Predestined), a title steeped in expectations of greatness. Now, as he stands on the cusp of his biggest test yet, it's time for him to prove that the nickname wasn't just a reflection of youthful bravado but a true testament to his destiny in Formula 1.
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