Rising tension at Ferrari as Lewis Hamilton closes in on Charles Leclerc’s pace
Lewis Hamilton’s growing competitiveness alongside Charles Leclerc at Ferrari is beginning to attract serious attention within the Formula 1 paddock. After a challenging start to the season that saw the seven-time world champion struggling to fully adapt to the SF-25, Hamilton has steadily closed the gap to his Monegasque teammate since the summer break — and the balance of power within the Scuderia appears to be shifting.
Before the mid-season pause, the much-anticipated intra-team rivalry between the two Ferrari drivers had not truly materialized, largely due to the Briton’s difficulties in finding confidence with the car’s handling. However, the landscape has changed dramatically in the second half of the 2025 campaign. Since Formula 1 returned to action, Lewis Hamilton has finished within two positions of Charles Leclerc in every session where both drivers were classified, often demonstrating stronger race pace and qualifying speed.
Lewis Hamilton has already outperformed Charles Leclerc in several key moments — notably at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, during qualifying in Singapore, and across both Sprint sessions in Austin. His win in Baku came under unusual circumstances, as he had been instructed to let Leclerc through after failing to complete an overtake ahead, but the timing of his slowdown meant the position swap was never executed before the finish line. In contrast, at the Circuit of the Americas last weekend, the competition was pure and unfiltered — with no team orders, just fierce racing between two world-class drivers.
Ferrari teammates push limits on track in Austin
The on-track duel between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc was one of the most thrilling spectacles of the United States Grand Prix weekend. Their wheel-to-wheel battle during the Sprint race offered a glimpse of the underlying tension that could define Ferrari’s internal dynamics going forward. Leclerc defended firmly but fairly, leaving just enough space for Lewis Hamilton to attempt a move at Turn 12 — a moment that had both Ferrari engineers and fans holding their breath. Lewis Hamilton managed to slip through the braking zone, using the edge of the run-off area to complete his move, but the intensity of their fight symbolized how close things have become inside the team.
As the Sprint unfolded, Charles Leclerc’s ongoing fight with Lando Norris in the opening phase of the Grand Prix kept Lewis Hamilton close behind. Once Norris eventually found a way past Leclerc, Hamilton saw an opportunity to attack. He attempted an audacious move around the outside into the same corner where he had succeeded earlier, forcing the Monegasque into another high-pressure defensive maneuver. This time, the Monegasque driver held the inside line and denied Hamilton’s switchback attempt, pushing the British driver to the outer limits of the circuit at Turn 13. The two Ferraris came perilously close to touching, intensifying the sense of internal rivalry developing within the team.
Martin Brundle analyzes the Ferrari battle
Sky Sports F1 analyst and former driver Martin Brundle offered his perspective on the incident, suggesting that Ferrari may have felt slightly uneasy watching their drivers engage in such close combat. Martin Brundle highlighted that both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton looked far more competitive in race trim than they did during qualifying, indicating Ferrari had made progress with its setup over the weekend. He noted that while the racing was fair, the proximity of the two teammates on track was probably a bit “too close for comfort” for the Ferrari pit wall.
The former F1 driver’s comments reflected what many observers sensed — that while Ferrari’s improved pace was encouraging, the potential for intra-team friction could become an issue if both drivers continue performing at such similar levels. With Hamilton finding his rhythm in the SF-25 and Charles Leclerc eager to maintain his status as team leader, Ferrari could soon face the classic challenge of managing two fiercely competitive front-runners within the same garage.
Respect between the two Ferrari drivers remains strong
Despite the intensity of their wheel-to-wheel fight, Lewis Hamilton made no complaints either over team radio or in his post-race interviews. Insiders believe that if he did have any concerns about the aggressiveness of the Monegasque’s defence, he would prefer to discuss them privately during internal Ferrari debriefs rather than airing them publicly. The mutual respect between the two drivers — both established race winners and long-standing front-runners since 2019 — remains evident, even as their on-track rivalry grows sharper.
Martin Brundle also pointed out that Charles Leclerc’s defensive driving was not limited to his battle with Hamilton. His duel with Lando Norris during the main race was one of the standout highlights of the United States Grand Prix. Norris needed a remarkable twenty-one laps to complete a clean overtake on Charles Leclerc during the first stint, and even after that, their fight reignited later in the race as Ferrari and McLaren adopted contrasting strategies.
Charles Leclerc’s battle with Lando Norris provided race highlight
According to Martin Brundle, the most captivating part of the Grand Prix was the prolonged fight between Leclerc and Norris. The Sky Sports commentator reflected that it was slightly unfortunate from a sporting perspective, as the battle likely prevented Norris from having a chance to challenge Max Verstappen at the front. Nevertheless, the duel between Leclerc and Norris showcased some of the cleanest and hardest racing of the day.
Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris demonstrated exemplary racecraft, pushing each other to the limit while maintaining mutual respect on track. After Norris finally overtook Leclerc during the early part of the race, the Ferrari driver regained the position once strategy came into play. Ferrari opted to bring Leclerc into the pits on lap 22 for a fresh set of medium tires, while McLaren waited until lap 32 to stop Norris, fitting him with used softs. This decision temporarily placed the McLaren driver behind the Ferrari once again, setting up another thrilling round of close combat in the closing stages. With fresher rubber and superior traction, Norris eventually reclaimed the position on lap 51, concluding a long and tactical duel that entertained fans throughout the race.
Ferrari facing a delicate balance between teamwork and rivalry
Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur will need to carefully manage this growing rivalry, ensuring that internal competition remains constructive rather than destructive. With both drivers capable of delivering podium results and potentially victories, Ferrari’s challenge will be to channel their ambition toward the team’s collective goals rather than allowing it to evolve into an internal power struggle. For now, the mutual respect between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc appears intact — but as their battle intensifies, Ferrari may soon find itself walking a fine line between unity and rivalry within the Scuderia.
