Charles Leclerc has made it clear that he doesn’t expect to have a “different” relationship with Lewis Hamilton compared to his previous teammates at Ferrari in Formula 1.
Hamilton’s highly anticipated move to Ferrari has been hailed as one of the most significant driver transfers in F1 history, as it brings together the sport’s most decorated driver and one of its top teams.
Hamilton’s arrival also marks the end of Carlos Sainz’s time at Ferrari, despite the strong partnership between Sainz and Leclerc, which almost secured the team the title last season.
Both Leclerc and Sainz have emphasized that their shared interests beyond racing led to a genuine friendship, one that will endure beyond their time together at Ferrari.
Despite the noticeable age gap between the two drivers—Lewis Hamilton, who turned 40 on Tuesday, is 13 years older than Charles Leclerc—Leclerc has emphasized that he doesn’t expect any significant shift in the dynamic between them at Ferrari.
While the age difference is evident, Leclerc has stressed that he and Hamilton have already developed a “good relationship” as they aim to bring Ferrari its first championship since 2008.
When asked if he anticipates any change in the team dynamic with Hamilton, Leclerc told *RacingNews365*: “No, I don’t think so. We have a very good relationship too.
“It’s a different kind of relationship because I haven’t spent that much time with Lewis yet, but I have obviously so much respect for him and what he has achieved.
“And we’ve had a very good relationship. We don’t have quite the same age, but we still share a lot of interests outside racing. So, no, I’m sure it won’t be any different.”
Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari’s Team Principal, is not concerned about any potential tension between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton despite the presence of two star drivers at Maranello.
Leclerc has expressed a strong desire to learn from Hamilton while also looking forward to testing his skills against the seven-time world champion. However, Red Bull’s Christian Horner has cautioned that having two high-profile drivers could create a “divisive” atmosphere within the team.
Vasseur, however, has dismissed these worries, saying he has no concerns about the dynamic between Hamilton and Leclerc affecting Ferrari’s title hopes.
“Charles, Lewis, I am not particularly worried about this,” Vasseur told the BBC. “They have a huge mutual respect, they know each other, they have been talking about this for months now.
“It is much better to fight for first and third or second and third than to fight for 19th and 20th. It is a good issue for a team to have this kind of discussion and approach, and I am really convinced again that the performance of the team is coming from the emulation between the two.”