Ferrari’s newest power duo is already creating buzz, but Charles Leclerc isn’t about to roll out the red carpet for Lewis Hamilton in 2025.
The 26-year-old Monégasque driver had barely finished celebrating his contract extension when the bombshell dropped: Hamilton would be his new teammate.
It’s a move that shocked the racing world – and probably Leclerc himself, who’d expected to continue partnering with Carlos Sainz.
Despite claims that this was all planned internally, the reality seems different. Even Mercedes boss Toto Wolff’s recent comments suggest Hamilton’s Ferrari deal came together surprisingly quickly.
The dynamics are fascinating. Leclerc, long crowned Ferrari’s golden boy, now faces off against a seven-time world champion who’s hungry for that historic eighth title.
But Leclerc’s got momentum on his side. He dominated the latter half of 2024, outscoring everyone else on the grid. That’s the kind of form that makes champions.
With stable regulations heading into 2025, Ferrari looks set to be a title contender from race one. Leclerc’s already had a taste of that feeling back in 2022, and you can bet he’s learned from that experience.
Meanwhile, Hamilton isn’t quite the force he once was. At 40, he struggled against George Russell in 2024, especially in qualifying – traditionally one of his strongest suits.
That could be crucial. Leclerc’s a qualifying specialist, and in today’s ultra-competitive F1, grid position means everything.
The car’s been developed around Leclerc’s driving style for years. Hamilton will need time to adapt to Ferrari’s ways, the new car, and a different power unit.
Sure, Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari is huge news. It’s the kind of story that writes itself – F1’s most successful driver joining its most iconic team.
But while everyone’s watching Hamilton, Leclerc’s quietly preparing for battle. He’s determined to prove he’s the one who’ll bring Ferrari its next championship.
We’ve seen this movie before. Remember Daniel Ricciardo at McLaren? He arrived as the big star, only to be outshone by Lando Norris.
Hamilton’s credentials are obviously in a different league, but F1’s a brutal sport where you’re only as good as your last race.
Right now, Leclerc’s got the edge. If Hamilton can’t close that gap quickly, Ferrari might wonder if they’ve backed the right horse in their quest for glory.
