Carlos Sainz spent four seasons alongside Charles Leclerc at Ferrari before Lewis Hamilton joined the team. During their partnership, there were occasional tensions, but the two drivers generally worked well together, collaborating on car development and race strategy. Sainz’s ability to provide detailed feedback often helped Charles Leclerc optimize Ferrari’s performance on track.
Formula 1 world champion Jacques Villeneuve has suggested that Ferrari may be feeling the impact of Sainz’s departure. While it is difficult to quantify how much of Ferrari’s 2025 performance decline is due to losing the Spanish driver, the intra-team competition has noticeably shifted. In 2024, Carlos Sainz finished ahead of Leclerc in eight of the 21 races they both completed. Comparatively, Hamilton has managed to outpace Leclerc in only three of the first 18 races this season, highlighting a more one-sided dynamic within the team.
In qualifying, Lewis Hamilton consistently posts times close to Leclerc, though he rarely surpasses him. However, unlike Carlos Sainz, Lewis Hamilton may not be applying the same level of competitive pressure on the Monegasque driver. This dynamic is compounded by the additional attention, media scrutiny, and internal adjustments brought about by Ferrari signing a seven-time world champion, which may influence team performance in unpredictable ways.
Leclerc and Hamilton on Ferrari car development
Reports from MARCA indicate that while both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton recognize Ferrari’s technical issues, they disagree on the solutions. The Briton has submitted extensive feedback reports aiming to reshape team processes according to his preferences, a move that has reportedly caused some friction within Maranello. Some engineers are said to be more receptive to Leclerc’s guidance, as he has been a long-term figure at Ferrari since 2019.
This situation contrasts with the Sainz-Leclerc era, where both drivers were largely aligned on car setup. Carlos Sainz’s behind-the-scenes work benefited both drivers, creating a smoother development process and a more balanced competitive environment. Hamilton and Leclerc’s differing approaches contribute to the perception that Ferrari’s 2025 driver pairing may not be as complementary as the previous one, even if Leclerc maintains a positive working relationship with the seven-time world champion.
Carlos Sainz reflects on Ferrari’s 2025 season
In an interview in June, Carlos Sainz expressed understanding for Lewis Hamilton’s challenges adapting to a new team. Carlos Sainz noted that Hamilton’s experience highlights just how demanding it is to join a team with high expectations and a complex car such as the Ferrari SF-25. Having made five moves in his Formula 1 career, the has shown resilience, and this season at Williams, he has been able to establish an upward performance trajectory after a difficult start.
The Spaniard had anticipated that Ferrari would be strong contenders for the 2025 championship following his departure, but he emphasized the achievements of McLaren and world champions in the current season rather than criticizing his former team. He highlighted in September that, based on Ferrari’s position at the end of 2024, he expected the team to remain competitive and capable of winning races. However, he acknowledged that Formula 1 remains an unpredictable and challenging sport.
He noted that McLaren’s progress has been particularly impressive, catching many teams by surprise. Meanwhile, the rest of the established top teams have largely maintained their previous performance levels, with McLaren emerging as a new competitive force. Carlos Sainz’s reflections underscore the difficulties of transitioning between teams and the nuanced role a driver like him plays in supporting both car development and intra-team competition.
Conclusion
Ferrari’s 2025 season illustrates the complex dynamics of driver pairings, car development, and team adaptation. The absence of Carlos Sainz appears to have shifted the intra-team balance, and while Lewis Hamilton brings immense experience and star power, his approach to car setup and feedback differs from Charles Leclerc’s, creating new challenges for Ferrari.
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