Lewis Hamilton tempts Ferrari team-mate with ‘qu…read more
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, now teammates at Ferrari for the 2025 Formula 1 season, recently showed off their off-track chemistry in a light-hearted moment during a media appearance. In a fun segment filmed for Ferrari’s official YouTube channel, the duo ranked their favorite classic video games—and shared a mutual love for Grand Theft Auto V, naming it their all-time favorite. But the lightheartedness took a humorous turn when Hamilton jokingly suggested they might have to quit Formula 1 altogether once the new installment of the game is released.
“The new one of this is coming out soon,” Hamilton said with visible excitement. Leclerc immediately responded, “I cannot wait, I cannot wait.” Laughing, Hamilton added, “We’re going to have to quit everything else we do.” The remark, clearly made in jest, highlighted a rare relaxed moment between the two drivers amidst a tough start to the season for Ferrari.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari from Mercedes was one of the most high-profile transfers in recent F1 history. After over a decade with Mercedes, where he won six of his seven world titles, expectations were high for his partnership with Ferrari. However, five races into the 2025 season, things have not gone as hoped. Hamilton has struggled to adapt to the new team and machinery, and currently finds himself seventh in the Drivers’ Championship standings.
Leclerc, meanwhile, has had a slightly stronger start to the year. While still far from the title fight and trailing championship leader Oscar Piastri by a considerable margin, the Monegasque driver has managed to collect a few podium finishes, giving Ferrari some reason for optimism. In contrast, Hamilton’s best finish so far has left fans and pundits questioning whether he can return to form in the iconic red car.
Behind the scenes, Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur remains confident in his high-profile signing. He believes that healthy internal competition between Leclerc and Hamilton will ultimately benefit the team. Speaking to motorsport media, Vasseur emphasized that both drivers have equal opportunities and that the dynamic between them could be a driving force for improvement.
Leclerc, for his part, has welcomed Hamilton into the team and addressed the media speculation around the internal balance at Ferrari. “Ferrari is bigger than any one driver,” Leclerc told Motorsport.com, brushing off concerns that Hamilton’s presence might overshadow his own ambitions. He added that while Hamilton is a legend of the sport, they are both pushing each other to raise their game, and he looks forward to learning from the veteran driver.
Still, the challenge is clear. Ferrari fans have been waiting for years for a return to championship contention, and the arrival of Hamilton was seen as a signal of serious intent. But with neither driver currently in the fight for the title, pressure is mounting for the Scuderia to turn things around quickly.
Despite the tense on-track scenario, the off-track camaraderie between Leclerc and Hamilton is a positive sign for the team. Their shared enthusiasm for gaming, particularly the upcoming Grand Theft Auto VI, offered a brief but welcome distraction from the relentless grind of the F1 calendar.
In the end, Hamilton’s joking suggestion that the two might quit racing to focus on gaming shows that, while results have been frustrating, the mood within the Ferrari garage hasn’t soured completely. There’s still a long season ahead—and both drivers know they have much more to prove before they hang up their helmets for a gaming controller.
