Lewis Hamilton‘s blockbuster move to Ferrari sets up what could be one of F1’s most fascinating teammate battles with Charles Leclerc.
The young Monegasque driver now finds himself partnered with a seven-time world champion who knows exactly what it takes to win titles.
Juan Pablo Montoya, who raced for McLaren and Williams, has some interesting advice for Leclerc: play it smart and think long-term.
“If Charles plays the season smartly, plays nice with Hamilton but keeps outperforming him, then the whole of Ferrari will support Leclerc,” Montoya says.
It’s a delicate balance. Leclerc needs to show he’s still the team’s future while working alongside one of the sport’s greatest drivers.
The good news? Leclerc’s got some savvy people in his corner. His management team understands the political side of F1, and they’re likely telling him to keep his eye on the bigger picture.
“Hamilton won’t be at Ferrari forever,” Montoya points out. “Leclerc needs to make sure he’s got the team’s backing for when that day comes.”
Ferrari’s been betting on Leclerc as their future champion for years now. But they haven’t quite given him a car that could fight for titles.
That’s where Hamilton’s experience could actually help. He’s played a crucial role in developing championship-winning cars at Mercedes and knows what it takes to turn a fast car into a title-winner.
“Hamilton’s chances of winning the championship will depend on how comfortable he is and how good of a car Ferrari can produce,” Montoya says. “It would be a hell of a story if he wins it.”
The real question is: can Ferrari finally build a car worthy of both their talents? If they do, we might be in for one of the most exciting teammate battles in recent F1 history.
