Charles Leclerc lifts lid on Ferrari...

Charles Leclerc lifts lid on Ferrari updates during Lewis Hamilton… Read More 👇

Charles Leclerc recently shed light on the developments within Ferrari leading up to Lewis Hamilton’s high-profile move to the team. Leclerc, who committed to Ferrari just a week before Hamilton’s announcement, was kept in the loop as the British driver negotiated his transfer from Mercedes to Ferrari.

Hamilton made headlines in February when he revealed that he had activated a release clause in his Mercedes contract, signaling his departure from the team at the end of the 2024 Formula 1 season. Soon after, Ferrari confirmed Hamilton’s signing with a brief statement that simply announced the seven-time World Champion would be joining the team in 2025 on a multi-year contract. This move stunned the F1 community, especially as it marked Hamilton’s decision to leave the team with which he had won multiple world titles.

Leclerc, however, was not caught off guard by the news. The Monegasque driver was aware of the ongoing negotiations between Hamilton and Ferrari well before the official announcement. Leclerc mentioned that he was informed about the situation by Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur. Despite not being directly involved in the negotiations, Leclerc was kept abreast of the developments, which he said had seemed inevitable as they progressed.

“Fred told me about it, but even before that, I had a feeling things were heading in that direction,” Leclerc shared. He admitted that while he did not recall a specific conversation confirming Hamilton’s move, it did not surprise him when the deal was finalized.

Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari in 2025 marks a significant shift within the team, ending the partnership between Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. Sainz, who joined Ferrari in 2021 after a stint with McLaren, will be leaving the team at the end of the 2024 season. He has already secured a contract with Williams, where he will race starting in 2025. Sainz’s departure concludes a collaborative and challenging chapter at Ferrari, during which both drivers worked closely together to navigate the team’s difficulties.

Leclerc expressed his gratitude for the time spent working with Sainz, emphasizing the strong professional relationship they built over the years. He credited Sainz’s contributions to the team’s improvements, noting that they consistently supported each other through tough times. However, Leclerc is also excited about the prospect of partnering with Hamilton. He sees Hamilton’s arrival as an opportunity to learn from one of the greatest drivers in the sport’s history, describing it as both intriguing and motivating.

Reflecting on his soon-to-be-former teammate, Leclerc stated, “I am very happy with how I worked with Carlos. He is an incredible driver, and we overcame many difficult moments together at Ferrari.” At the same time, he acknowledged the significance of Hamilton joining the team. “When you have a seven-time World Champion joining, it’s always good news. It’s interesting because I’ll be able to learn from one of the best drivers in F1 history, and it’s motivating because I’m curious about how I’ll compare with Lewis in the same car.”

Leclerc’s comments suggest that the transition at Ferrari, while marking the end of one chapter, opens up a new and potentially fruitful era for the team. Despite the inevitable challenges that come with a change of this magnitude, Leclerc appears optimistic and prepared to face them alongside Hamilton, a driver he clearly respects and looks forward to working with.

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari also represents a significant shift in Formula 1’s landscape. It signals his desire to take on a new challenge after a long and successful tenure with Mercedes. For Ferrari, securing a driver of Hamilton’s caliber is a bold statement of intent as they continue their pursuit of a Drivers’ Championship, something the team has not achieved since Kimi Räikkönen’s triumph in 2007.

As the 2024 season progresses and the sport looks ahead to 2025, all eyes will be on how the dynamics within Ferrari evolve with the arrival of Hamilton. The partnership between Leclerc and Hamilton has the potential to be one of the most formidable in recent F1 history, and fans and pundits alike will be eager to see how the two drivers fare in their quest to return Ferrari to the pinnacle of the sport.