Scuderia Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has revealed the important qualities he has sought to learn from Lewis Hamilton, highlighting how this differs from what he absorbed during his time alongside Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz at the Maranello team.
The Monegasque driver warmly welcomed the British seven-time world champion to Maranello ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season, following Ferrari’s successful efforts to convince Hamilton to leave Mercedes after the 2024 campaign. Hamilton signed a lucrative two-year contract worth £39 million per season in February 2024, with an option to extend into 2027. Ferrari’s management acted decisively to secure their driver lineup for the 2025 and 2026 seasons, having already extended Leclerc’s contract through 2029 earlier in January 2024. Leclerc, now 27, joined the Scuderia in 2019, initially partnering with Sebastian Vettel, who was replaced by Carlos Sainz ahead of the 2021 season.
Charles Leclerc Surprised by the High Level of Organisation Around Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari
When the Monegasque arrived at Ferrari, Sebastian Vettel was an invaluable mentor, offering a wealth of experience. Vettel, having started 219 Grands Prix by that point, including 139 races with Red Bull—where he won four consecutive World Championships from 2010 to 2013—provided Leclerc with a deep well of knowledge in his formative years at the team.
Now, Leclerc is focused on learning as much as possible from Lewis Hamilton, who joined Ferrari with an extraordinary résumé that includes 356 Grand Prix starts, 105 race wins, seven World Championship titles, and a record-breaking 104 pole positions. Despite Hamilton’s formidable speed and record-breaking statistics, Charles Leclerc was not taken aback by the Briton’s pace upon his arrival at Ferrari.
Instead, Leclerc has been particularly impressed by the “organisation” surrounding Hamilton. He had expected Hamilton’s speed, given the Briton’s 18 seasons of experience at the highest level, but it is the comprehensive approach and preparation behind the scenes that have caught Leclerc’s attention.
Charles Leclerc shared his insights with Sky Italia, explaining that he learned a great deal from his former teammates. He pointed out that while all drivers grow up differently with their own strengths and weaknesses, his role as a driver is to observe and absorb the qualities of the teammates he competes against.
The Monegasque noted Sebastian Vettel’s exceptional feel for the car and meticulous attention to detail, explaining that during their early days together at Ferrari, he had limited guidance while Vettel was managing a vast amount of data and pressure, which in turn helped him develop as a driver.
He also praised Carlos Sainz for his resilience and ability to extract maximum points even during challenging race weekends.
Regarding Hamilton, Leclerc stated that there was a great deal to learn from the most successful driver in Formula 1 history. What stood out most was not Hamilton’s speed, which was already well known, but rather the meticulous organisation and structured approach that supports his performance on and off the track.
Lewis Hamilton Embraces Role as Ferrari’s Potential Team Leader
Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari saw him entering Charles Leclerc’s established territory, as the Monegasque had been a key figure at Maranello since joining the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2016. Nevertheless, Hamilton has embraced the opportunity to emerge as Ferrari’s team leader, particularly with the 2026 Formula 1 regulations on the horizon.
Having won six Drivers’ Championships and contributed to eight Constructors’ titles during his time with Mercedes in Brackley, Hamilton has been actively involved in identifying areas for improvement at Ferrari. He has submitted detailed recommendations to the team, highlighting areas where Ferrari can surpass the Silver Arrows. It is worth noting that Ferrari have not secured either the Drivers’ or Constructors’ Championships since 2008, underscoring the pressure on the team to return to winning ways.
Interestingly, the learning appears to be mutual, with Lewis Hamilton also adapting to his new environment at Ferrari. For instance, when Ferrari introduced their rear suspension upgrade at the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa, the Briton reportedly required two days to fully understand the update, while Leclerc was able to grasp its effects almost immediately.
This dynamic illustrates the evolving relationship between the two drivers, with Leclerc drawing on Hamilton’s vast experience, while Hamilton adapts to the specific demands and nuances of Ferrari’s car and culture. Both drivers’ efforts will be crucial as the Scuderia seeks to challenge for titles in the coming seasons.
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