Former Ferrari engineer Jock Clear believes Charles Leclerc will redouble his efforts to beat Lewis Hamilton as the rivalry between the two teammates intensifies. Following the tensions that emerged during recent Formula 1 weekends, Clear is convinced that competing against the seven-time world champion could push the Monegasque driver to reach an even higher level.
Having worked closely with both drivers, Jock Clear sees Ferrari’s increasingly competitive internal battle as an opportunity rather than a problem. He believes Charles Leclerc has no intention of backing away from the challenge posed by Lewis Hamilton and will continue working to improve his performance.
Jock Clear welcomes Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc rivalry: ‘Exactly what we wanted’
After a particularly difficult first season with Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton has established a stronger connection with his car in 2026, securing his first victory for the Scuderia in Barcelona. Charles Leclerc responded with a win at Silverstone, setting the stage for an increasingly close battle between the two drivers. With three races remaining in the season, Lewis Hamilton holds a 12-point advantage over his teammate.
According to Jock Clear, this rivalry represents precisely what Ferrari hoped to achieve by bringing the seven-time world champion to Maranello. The former engineer worked with Lewis Hamilton during his Mercedes career before closely following Charles Leclerc’s development at Ferrari in a coaching role.
Speaking to PlanetF1.com in an interview conducted in association with Champions Speakers, Jock Clear described the current situation as a positive development for the Italian team.
“I think Lewis is much more comfortable with the feedback he’s getting from this car. That’s a testament to the whole team, and they have shown they can challenge with either driver. That is a great position to be in. I think there is more to come from Lewis,” Jock Clear explained.
The growing competition between the teammates has also highlighted the importance of experience and mental strength. The psychological dimension of Lewis Hamilton’s battle with Charles Leclerc has become another talking point as the Ferrari pair continue fighting for supremacy.
Jock Clear predicts Charles Leclerc will redouble his efforts against Lewis Hamilton
Jock Clear does not consider Lewis Hamilton’s return to the front a threat to Charles Leclerc. Instead, he believes the British driver’s renewed competitiveness could encourage his teammate to reach an even higher level.
Competing against a driver of Lewis Hamilton’s calibre requires consistency and an ability to adapt, two qualities that Jock Clear believes Charles Leclerc possesses. The former Ferrari engineer expects the Monegasque to respond to the challenge by working even harder rather than accepting a secondary role within the team.
“In turn, Charles will redouble his efforts and keep improving. This is exactly the dynamic we wanted from Lewis arriving. Charles is not one to shirk a challenge!” Jock Clear added.
With only 12 points separating the teammates, the closing stages of the 2026 Formula 1 season will provide another opportunity to assess their respective performances. Their results throughout the campaign can also be explored through the Charles Leclerc versus Lewis Hamilton head-to-head statistics, which track their qualifying, race and championship performances.
Ferrari tensions after Mexican GP add another dimension to teammate battle
Jock Clear’s comments follow the tensions between the two Ferrari drivers at the Mexican Grand Prix, where Charles Leclerc received a penalty for gaining a lasting advantage by leaving the track while battling Lewis Hamilton.
The seven-time world champion subsequently criticised his teammate’s approach to wheel-to-wheel racing, arguing that Charles Leclerc was particularly aggressive when competing against his own teammates. Those remarks kept the controversy alive during the following week and raised further questions about how Ferrari would manage the increasingly intense rivalry.
The disagreement has since prompted discussions within Ferrari, with team principal Fred Vasseur explaining how Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc cleared the air following their recent tensions.
For Jock Clear, however, the competitive relationship between the two drivers remains a potential strength for Ferrari. Rather than allowing their rivalry to become an obstacle, he believes it can encourage Charles Leclerc to continue developing while pushing Lewis Hamilton to demonstrate the full extent of his remaining potential.
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