Just In: Charles Leclerc Warned by F1 CEO About Challenges of Hav

Charles Leclerc Warned by F1 CEO About Challenges of Having Lewis Hamilton as Teammate

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari’s star driver, has been cautioned by Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali about the challenge he will face with his new teammate, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who is set to join Ferrari next year. Domenicali emphasized that Leclerc must be prepared for the complexities of having a highly experienced and compeotitive pkkdriver like Hamilton alongside him, noting that Hamilton is “not an easy teammate.”

Leclerc had a strong season in 2024, securing three Grand Prix victories and consistently showing his racing prowess. In contrast, Hamilton endured a challenging year with Mercedes, struggling with the pace and handling of the W15 car. Despite these difficulties, Hamilton managed to win two races, at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps, when the car’s performance allowed it. While Hamilton’s season was seen as a disappointment compared to his past success, these victories proved that he still has the ability to deliver results when given a competitive car. This raises the possibility that he could thrive at Ferrari if the team provides a dominant vehicle in the upcoming season.

Domenicali’s warning comes at a time when Ferrari is already familiar with internal competition between its drivers. This year, Leclerc and current teammate Carlos Sainz clashed on several occasions, particularly over issues related to team orders. The tension between the two drivers highlighted the challenges of managing top talent within a team. Now, with Hamilton joining Ferrari, Leclerc will have to contend with a teammate who has a far more impressive track record.

“Charles will, of course, have to accept that someone like Lewis is not an easy teammate,” Domenicali remarked, adding that Hamilton’s experience and determination will be key factors in his approach to securing more victories. “Lewis will definitely have the ability to convey his positivity in his efforts to achieve his record. They respect each other a lot, and I hope they will continue to do so at the end of the year.”

Despite Domenicali’s concerns, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur expressed confidence in the new partnership between Leclerc and Hamilton. Vasseur noted the “huge mutual respect” between the two drivers and suggested that even if conflicts arise, they could prove beneficial for the team’s overall performance. According to Vasseur, the dynamic between Leclerc and Hamilton could foster a competitive environment that drives both drivers to push harder.

“You know that it’s always a challenge,” Vasseur acknowledged when discussing managing top drivers within a team. “I had my challenges this year between Charles and Carlos, but I think it was part of the performance. I’m really convinced that the emulation within the team is key for the performance of the team.”

Vasseur reflected on the moments of tension between Leclerc and Sainz but ultimately concluded that the competition between them helped improve Ferrari’s performance. He believes that a similar dynamic with Hamilton could yield positive results for the team. “Charles, Lewis, I’m not particularly worried about this. They have a huge mutual respect, they know each other, they’ve been talking about this for months. And I think it’s much better to fight for 1-2 or 2-3 on the grid than to fight for 19-20.”

For Vasseur, having two highly skilled drivers competing for top positions is a “good issue” for a team to have. He is confident that the rivalry between Leclerc and Hamilton will elevate Ferrari’s performance in 2025.

In summary, while Domenicali has cautioned Leclerc about the challenges of having Hamilton as a teammate, Ferrari’s leadership believes the new pairing could prove to be a driving force behind the team’s success next season.