Charles Leclerc feels that Lewis Hamilton’s outstanding record in Formula 1 makes it tough to offer him advice as a teammate at Ferrari. Hamilton, who holds seven world championships and over 100 race victories, has nonetheless found it challenging to settle in with Ferrari, failing to reach the podium in his debut season with the team.
At the recent Las Vegas Grand Prix, Hamilton had a disappointing weekend, qualifying 20th but recovering to finish 10th—later elevated to eighth after two McLaren drivers were disqualified. Despite these individual struggles, Ferrari’s SF-25 car has also not lived up to expectations, with Leclerc himself only claiming seven podium finishes so far this year and yet to secure a race win, facing a second nearly winless season in three years.
When asked about Hamilton’s difficulties in Qatar and whether he could offer guidance, Leclerc said he’s focused primarily on his own performance and the team’s efforts. He acknowledged Hamilton’s greater achievements and stated that advising him is not really his role, describing Hamilton’s adaptation to Ferrari as a lengthy process.
Having been with Ferrari since 2019, Leclerc is familiar with the team’s operations, while Hamilton admitted hesitance about looking ahead to next season. Leclerc recognized that Hamilton still needs time to fully adjust, explaining that joining a new team requires a significant period of adaptation to new ways of working and team dynamics.
Fan Take: This situation highlights the immense pressure and adjustment challenges even the greatest drivers face when switching teams. For racing fans, it underscores that success in F1 depends not only on driver skill but also on how well the driver and team gel, setting the stage for an intriguing next chapter at Ferrari.
