Ferrari confirms Leclerc’s support for Hamilton’s arrival, as the team looks ahead to forming its competitive 2025 driver lineup.
How much influence can an F1 driver exert to prevent his boss from hiring another driver with a far more impressive track record and reputation?
In the case of Ferrari and Charles Leclerc, he didn’t try to stop Lewis Hamilton from joining the Scuderia—quite the opposite, according to team boss Frédéric Vasseur.
The deal signed with Hamilton starting in 2025 not only signals the end of Carlos Sainz’s tenure at Maranello but also presents a likely tougher challenge for Leclerc, the long-standing driver and product of the Ferrari Academy.
“I’ve always said there were two races in my life that I wanted to win—Monaco and Monza,” Leclerc said this week at the Trento Sports Festival.
“We managed to do that this year, but now my only goal is to win the world championship. I’m working solely for that.”
It’s well-known how close Vasseur is to Leclerc, but the French Ferrari boss also shares a long-standing personal and professional relationship with the seven-time British world champion.
“Sometimes Charles made mistakes,” Vasseur said at the same festival, “but that’s part of his growth process. With Lewis by his side, that growth will continue.”
He admits that the idea of bringing in Hamilton, 39, as Leclerc’s next teammate was a bit delicate.
“Fred’s not my girlfriend,” Leclerc smiled, “but I was aware of the negotiations with Lewis from very early on, and for me, having him alongside will be an additional challenge, given all that he’s won.”
“I’m very happy that Hamilton is coming, and I’m looking forward to it because you can learn from every teammate. For me, it will be a great opportunity to show what I can do in the car. With Lewis, I’m sure I’ll clear up a few doubts about certain things he knows how to do.”
Vasseur agrees: “Charles has always been on board with Lewis joining, and that motivated me to do everything I could to make it happen. But, strangely, it wasn’t difficult to bring him to Maranello.”
“And when I understood that Charles had always been positive about Lewis, because he saw it as an opportunity for himself, I pushed even harder.”
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Leclerc Clears Path for Hamilton’s Ferrari Move, Says Vasseur Leclerc Clears Path for Hamilton’s Ferrari Move, Says Vasseur
