F1 NEWS: Marko on the Leclerc vs. Hamilton Duel: “Charles Clearly Faster Than Lewis” and he… Read more
Marko on the Leclerc vs. Hamilton Duel: “Charles Clearly Faster Than Lewis”
Helmut Marko, Red Bull’s advisor, has weighed in on the burgeoning rivalry between Ferrari teammates Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Marko, speaking to RTL, remarked that Leclerc appears to have a significant advantage over Hamilton in the early days of their partnership. According to Marko, Leclerc’s deeper familiarity with the Ferrari team and car gives him a crucial edge over the seven-time world champion, who is still adjusting to his new environment.
“In Bahrain, Charles Leclerc was clearly faster than Lewis Hamilton,” Marko stated. He emphasized that Leclerc’s quicker pace was to be expected, given his time with the Scuderia. Leclerc has spent several years with Ferrari, working closely with their engineers and fine-tuning his understanding of the car. Hamilton, on the other hand, has only recently joined Ferrari after leaving Mercedes. While Hamilton is known for his ability to adapt quickly, Marko pointed out that even the legendary Briton found himself trailing behind Leclerc.
“Hamilton drove for many laps and gradually improved,” Marko acknowledged. “But he was never truly on Leclerc’s level during the testing sessions. It’s normal for a driver like Leclerc, who knows the car so well, to have this kind of advantage early on.”
Despite Leclerc’s current superiority, Marko was quick to remind everyone not to underestimate Hamilton. “It’s still early days,” he noted. “Hamilton is one of those drivers who can improve in an almost supernatural way. However, if the factors don’t align for him, and if he doesn’t see a clear path to winning, his motivation may wane a little.”
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has generated a lot of excitement, not only within the team but also among the fans. Ferrari has taken steps to increase fan engagement, a shift many believe is driven by Hamilton’s presence. However, pre-season testing has revealed several challenges for the team, with their SF-25 car undergoing significant changes, particularly in its front suspension design. The new suspension has been described as radically different from previous models, and there is a growing belief that it may take time to optimize fully.
Marko also shared his assessment of Ferrari’s position in the pecking order among the top teams. According to his calculations, Ferrari is currently the third-best team on the grid, trailing behind McLaren and Red Bull but just ahead of Mercedes. This assessment is concerning for Ferrari, who will have hoped that Hamilton’s arrival would propel them to the top of the standings, but for now, they remain in a battle for third.
“Ferrari is clearly behind McLaren and Red Bull,” said Marko. “But they are ahead of Mercedes, at least for the moment.”
Though the rivalry between Leclerc and Hamilton is still in its infancy, there has been little sign of tension between the two drivers. In fact, the pair have displayed a friendly rapport, with both jokingly suggesting they could release a song together if Ferrari manages to win the championship. But as the season progresses and the fight for dominance within Ferrari heats up, this camaraderie will be put to the test. Ferrari will have to manage the dynamics carefully, ensuring that both drivers are given the support they need to succeed, while avoiding internal strife that could derail their championship ambitions.
As of now, Leclerc holds the upper hand in terms of pace, but Hamilton’s legendary ability to bounce back should not be discounted. The coming races will reveal whether Ferrari’s new driver pairing can work together harmoniously or whether a power struggle will emerge as both fight for supremacy.
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