How Lewis Hamilton's record Monte Carlo lap stacks up against Charles Leclerc's personal best
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Lewis Hamilton stands on the brink of his Ferrari Formula 1 debut, a move that could mark the beginning of the final chapter in his illustrious career.
The seven-time world champion has made no secret of his ambition to claim one last Drivers' Championship, a title that would set him apart as the most successful racer in the sport's history. His journey at Maranello began with a day of simulator work and familiarizing himself with the team, an important step in building relationships as he adjusts to his new environment.
Hamilton will join forces with Charles Leclerc in a high-stakes mission to bring Ferrari its first championship in 17 years. While the Scuderia has come close in recent seasons, they've repeatedly fallen short of converting title contention into success.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur deliberately avoided discussions about Hamilton throughout 2024, preferring to concentrate on optimizing the team's performance. The strategy appeared to bear fruit, as Ferrari ended the season with the second-fastest car on the grid. With a productive off-season under their belt, they may now pose a significant challenge to McLaren's dominance in 2025.
Hamilton vs. Leclerc: Comparing Their Greatest Monaco Laps
The partnership between Hamilton and Leclerc promises to be one of the most compelling narratives of the 2025 season.
Leclerc's reputation as a Saturday specialist contrasts sharply with Hamilton's skill at delivering extraordinary race-day performances. In 2024, Leclerc finally secured his maiden Monaco Grand Prix victory in commanding style, taking pole position with an impressive lap time of 1:10.270 and outpacing Oscar Piastri by over a tenth of a second.
While that was Leclerc's fastest-ever lap around the streets of Monte Carlo, it falls just short of Hamilton's best. In 2019, during an emotional weekend following the death of his mentor Niki Lauda, Lewis Hamilton recorded a 1:10.166 in qualifying. He went on to claim a deeply meaningful victory, drawing parallels to Leclerc's triumphant moment five years later.
Hamilton's Early Praise for Leclerc's Talent
As Leclerc enters his seventh season with Ferrari, he has firmly established himself as one of the most experienced and capable drivers among the sport's top teams.
Leclerc's debut season with Ferrari in 2019 was marked by a mix of highs and lows. One of the most memorable moments came at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where a mechanical issue robbed him of a maiden victory, leaving Hamilton to capitalize and take the win.
However, later that year, Leclerc earned his first career victory at the Belgian Grand Prix—a milestone Hamilton was quick to acknowledge. The Brit hailed the then-21-year-old as a future star, recognizing the potential for greatness in his early performances.
Now, six years later, the two drivers find themselves side by side at Ferrari, poised to write a new chapter in the team's storied history. The dynamic between them, coupled with the weight of Ferrari's expectations, promises a thrilling 2025 campaign.
Hamilton expressed his belief that there was much more greatness ahead for Leclerc, adding that he looked forward to witnessing his growth and competing alongside him. He remarked that it had been enjoyable trying to chase Leclerc during the race, though he admitted the Monegasque driver had been just slightly too fast.
Hamilton also noted that Leclerc had faced significant misfortune in several races that season, suggesting it could have easily been his third victory after narrowly missing out in Bahrain and Austria.
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