Just in:Lewis Is a Different Beast”: Hamilton Backed to Avoid…read more
“Lewis Is a Different Beast”: Hamilton Backed to Avoid…read more
In 2019, when Charles Leclerc made his debut at Ferrari alongside Sebastian Vettel, few expected the young Monegasque driver to challenge the four-time World Champion. However, Leclerc quickly proved his mettle, establishing himself as Ferrari’s number one driver by the end of that season. His impressive performances left Vettel looking average by comparison, and Leclerc’s rise in the team was undeniable. As the golden boy of Ferrari, Leclerc has long been considered the future of the Scuderia and a potential Championship contender. But with the arrival of Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari in 2025, the dynamics within the team could shift dramatically.
Hamilton, widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history, enters a new phase of his career after his time with Mercedes. The Briton has won seven World Championships, tying Michael Schumacher’s record, but his recent years at Mercedes have been marred by struggles with an underperforming car. His decision to join Ferrari was motivated by his desire to compete for more titles, but it also represents a significant challenge: adapting to Ferrari’s current car, which is a part of the new generation of F1 machines that has already proven difficult for him in the past.
Laurence Edmonson, an F1 journalist for ESPN, suggests that while history could repeat itself, Hamilton is unlikely to be caught off guard in the same way Vettel was. Edmonson acknowledges Leclerc’s immense talent and his potential to outpace anyone on his day. However, he argues that Hamilton is “a different beast” compared to Vettel, and the British driver won’t be so easily dominated.
Hamilton’s ability to turn things around quickly will be key to his success at Ferrari. Unlike Vettel, who struggled to adapt to the Ferrari setup in 2019, Hamilton has a wealth of experience and a proven track record. Nevertheless, like Vettel, Hamilton will need to adjust to the new cars that have become more challenging to handle in recent years. If he fails to adapt quickly enough, Ferrari’s internal hierarchy could once again shift in favor of Leclerc, especially given how fast the young driver can establish dominance.
At Mercedes, Hamilton experienced a series of frustrations with the W13, W14, and W15 cars. He repeatedly pointed out issues with the technical side of things, but his concerns were often dismissed by the engineers, leading to a decrease in his confidence. This, in turn, affected his performance, and he began making mistakes that were uncharacteristic of him. Additionally, Hamilton’s dominance in qualifying, where he had set a record with 104 pole positions, began to erode. In 2024, his teammate George Russell outqualified him 19 times in 24 races, a statistic that underlined Hamilton’s struggles to extract the most from the car.
Leclerc, known for his strong one-lap pace, will present another challenge for Hamilton. The ability to deliver on a single flying lap is a critical skill in Formula 1, especially at a team like Ferrari, which has high expectations for both drivers. Hamilton will need to quickly regain his edge in qualifying if he is to keep up with Leclerc and avoid a repeat of the situation that saw Vettel overshadowed by his younger teammate.
The prospect of an intra-team battle between Hamilton and Leclerc has the potential to become one of the most exciting storylines in Formula 1. Both drivers are incredibly competitive and will be motivated by personal glory, but Ferrari will be focused on securing the Constructors’ Championship. For that to happen, they will need both Hamilton and Leclerc to be performing at their best and working together to extract maximum performance from the car.
Ultimately, while there are similarities between Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari and Leclerc’s challenge to Vettel, the situation is far from identical. Hamilton’s experience and legacy make him a formidable competitor, and Leclerc will have to bring his A-game to maintain his position as Ferrari’s lead driver. If both drivers push each other to new heights, Ferrari’s 2025 season could be one of the most thrilling in recent memory, with the potential for a fierce, yet respectful, battle for supremacy within the team.
About The Author
