Tension at Ferrari? Charles Leclerc reportedly annoyed by Lewis Hamilton’s impact on engineers. Ferrari’s dream F1 driver pairing of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc is already under strain.

Ferrari Faces Internal Tensions as Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc Struggle to Gel

Ferrari appeared to have assembled the most formidable driver pairing on the Formula 1 grid when they secured Lewis Hamilton to race alongside Charles Leclerc for the 2025 season and beyond. However, despite the star-studded line-up, not everything is running smoothly behind the scenes in Maranello.

The iconic Italian team made an early move to secure its driver roster for the future. Charles Leclerc extended his commitment to the Scuderia until the end of 2029 after signing a new contract in January 2024. A month later, in February, Ferrari confirmed a two-year agreement with seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton. Yet, what was expected to be a dream partnership has quickly started to unravel, raising concerns within the team’s hierarchy.

Charles Leclerc, who has driven for Ferrari since 2019 and was part of their Driver Academy from as early as March 2016, is now reportedly reconsidering his long-term future with the team. After years of loyalty to Ferrari, the Monegasque is said to be disillusioned and open to exploring opportunities elsewhere, as he begins to lose faith in the team’s direction and performance.

Adding to the unease is the growing scrutiny over team principal Fred Vasseur’s leadership. Although Ferrari currently holds second place in the Constructors’ Championship heading into the Canadian Grand Prix, the team sits a massive 197 points behind leaders McLaren after just nine rounds. This stark deficit has only intensified internal pressure, with whispers in the paddock suggesting that Fred Vasseur has been given just three races to prove he deserves a contract extension through 2026.

One of the major factors fueling internal discord is the strained dynamic between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Reports from RMC Motori indicate that Charles Leclerc has grown increasingly irritated by the amount of attention Ferrari’s technical team devotes to Hamilton. The British driver, new to the team this season, has reportedly taken center stage during technical debriefs before and after each race, which has led to a sense of imbalance in the garage.

Lewis Hamilton, determined to unlock the full potential of the SF-25, is said to be rigorously dissecting data from every session. His meticulous approach has resulted in Ferrari’s engineers compiling extensive technical notes—described internally as “mountains”—in an effort to help him better understand the car’s unpredictable behavior. This deep level of analysis has required significant time and resources, which some within the team believe have come at the expense of Charles Leclerc’s needs.

Although Charles Leclerc remains Ferrari’s top-performing driver in 2025 so far, with 94 points compared to Hamilton’s 71, he is reportedly feeling overshadowed. The Monegasque is believed to be frustrated by the level of focus Hamilton is receiving, particularly when it comes to discussing how the SF-25 handles on track and what setup changes should be made. Nonetheless, the 27-year-old driver continues to lead the team’s efforts, with his consistent performances keeping Ferrari competitive in the standings.

Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, is still chasing answers after a challenging transition from Mercedes to Ferrari. Despite his elite pedigree, he has yet to claim a podium in a Grand Prix this season. His highest finish came at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola, where he managed fourth place. In contrast, Leclerc has secured all three of Ferrari’s podiums, finishing second in Monaco and taking third in both Saudi Arabia and Spain.

Former F1 driver David Coulthard has publicly questioned whether Hamilton will ever capture his elusive eighth world title, given his difficulties adjusting to Ferrari’s machinery. While Lewis Hamilton has shown flashes of competitiveness—most notably winning the Shanghai Sprint and placing third in the Miami Sprint—his form in full-length races has lagged behind expectations.

Ferrari remains hopeful that recent upgrades to the rear suspension of the SF-25 will address Lewis Hamilton’s main complaint: the instability and unpredictability of the car’s rear end. However, qualifying statistics paint a concerning picture. So far in the 2025 season, the Briton has been outqualified by his Monegasque teammate in seven of the nine races and has averaged 0.223 seconds slower per qualifying session.

With tensions rising between the drivers and pressure mounting on the leadership, Ferrari finds itself at a critical juncture. What was initially heralded as a new era for the Scuderia could quickly turn into another chapter of internal strife unless the team can find harmony—and results—on and off the track.