Charles Leclerc has vowed to “show what he’s capable of” when Lewis Hamilton joins him at Ferrari in 2025.
Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, stunned the Formula 1 world championship in January when he announced that this season would be his last at the wheel of Mercedes, which he joined McLaren in 2013. The 39-year-old believes Ferrari can give him the most productive. Winning an eighth world title will be a possibility, but fitting into the team’s most productive driving force will be a challenge in itself.
In fact, Leclerc will remain at Ferrari, having signed a new long-term contract just weeks before Hamilton’s explosive announcement. The Monte-Carlo-born star is just 26 years old and while he knows his long-time teammate can report back to him, his aim is to prove to Ferrari bosses that he will be their main driver.
“Of course Lewis will inform me,” Leclerc told Fox Sports Australia. “It’s also an opportunity for me to show what I’m capable of doing, which I see as an exciting challenge. I think it’s going to be amazing. “
“I’ve known for several months that there’s a possibility, that it’s on the table. Still, it’s surprising to be informed that there’s a possibility of that happening. “
Hamilton’s arrival also marks the departure of Carlos Sainz, the guy who won the last 3 Grands Prix while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez failed to finish on the podium. Sainz won the Australian GP last weekend and Leclerc is enjoying his final year with the Spaniard, with whom he has raced since 2021.
“I’ve had an amazing relationship with Carlos,” she continued. “We’ve had some amazing years together, some tougher years as a team, because functionality wasn’t exactly what we wanted.
“But we’ve worked incredibly well together and we’re looking forward to this last year together to finish this in the most productive way imaginable.
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“Then Lewis will sign up for the team, which is a challenge for me as it is the most successful engine in the history of F1. It’ll be wonderful to have him as a teammate. “
Leclerc revealed in February that he was already in talks with Hamilton, who has since suffered a nightmare at the start of the 2024 season and languishes with 8 problems after 3 races. Frustrated with the Mercedes car as it has been for the past 3 seasons, the Briton was forced to retire on lap 17 in Melbourne.
After the race, Hamilton admitted: “I mean, it’s the worst start to the season I’ve ever had. “He later added, “It’s a challenge, but I’m still encouraged by the other people I work with. “They keep pushing themselves and being present, and that’s the most important thing. “
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