Scuderia Ferrari Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc is set to face one of the most challenging battles of his Formula 1 career in 2025 as he prepares to go head-to-head with Lewis Hamilton at the Italian side.
The pair have been settling into their new dynamic at Maranello over the past few weeks, with Lewis Hamilton already completing his first test sessions for the Scuderia at Fiorano and Barcelona. His debut behind the wheel of a Ferrari drew an overwhelming response, with around 3,000 passionate Tifosi flocking to witness the historic moment. The excitement was so intense that the mayor of Maranello reportedly had to declare a ‘state of emergency’ due to the unexpected surge in activity.
Despite an early setback—Lewis Hamilton’s crash during the second test session, which disrupted Leclerc’s own track time—the seven-time world champion has otherwise had a smooth transition into the team, embracing both the learning process and the immense fanfare surrounding his arrival.
As the 2025 season approaches, anticipation continues to build over how Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will measure up against each other. However, former F1 driver Jan Lammers believes that if Leclerc wants to stand a chance of outpacing his new teammate, he will need to take an unusual approach.
Charles Leclerc urged to ‘relax’ to compete with Lewis Hamilton
Charles Leclerc has earned a reputation for being blisteringly fast but has also been prone to costly errors under pressure. Over the years, unforced mistakes have occasionally hindered his performance, particularly in high-stakes moments.
Former team owner Eddie Jordan has urged Charles Leclerc to seize control of the championship fight from the very start of the season, emphasizing the importance of establishing dominance early on. Meanwhile, Lammers suggests that the key to Charles Leclerc’s success lies not in aggression, but in composure—advising the Monégasque to stay calm and collected to minimize errors and maximize his chances against one of the sport’s greatest drivers.
The Dutch racecar driver, most notable for winning the 1988 24 Hours of Le Mans, suggested that while both current Ferrari drivers possess the necessary skills, the Monégasque driver might need to adopt a more relaxed approach. He pointed out that Charles Leclerc’s tendency to push too hard at times leads to occasional mistakes. Jan Lammers expressed hope that Charles Leclerc would be able to overcome this habit but warned that if he continues making errors too frequently this season, it may indicate a deeper issue—one that he might struggle to overcome.
Pirelli Executives Take Notice of Charles Leclerc’s Performance
Charles Leclerc recently took part in a Pirelli test alongside Lewis Hamilton, evaluating the prototype tyres set to debut in the 2026 Formula 1 season. These new tyres, designed to be both lighter and slightly narrower, are part of an effort to reduce the overall weight of the cars and improve handling characteristics.
During the session, Leclerc managed to post a lap time more than a second quicker than Hamilton’s. However, given the differing run plans and testing objectives, the lap times themselves carried little significance. The primary focus was on collecting data on tyre behavior rather than outright performance.
Even before this latest test, Pirelli’s top engineers had already been impressed by Leclerc’s aggressive yet controlled driving style. His stunning start at last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where he overtook 11 cars on the opening lap, had particularly caught their attention. His ability to extract the maximum from the car while maintaining composure under pressure has solidified his reputation as one of the sport’s most instinctive racers.
As Ferrari enters the 2025 season with one of its most formidable driver pairings in years, Leclerc will be eager to capitalize on any opportunity. With a competitive car, he could find himself not only battling for race wins but also mounting a serious challenge for the championship alongside his new teammate, Hamilton.
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