Ferrari’s Vasseur encourages Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc collaborate between…read more
Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, has expressed his confidence that the rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will remain healthy and won’t lead to internal tensions. Hamilton’s move to Ferrari from Mercedes during the winter marked one of the biggest driver shifts in Formula 1, while Leclerc has been with Ferrari since 2019 and has a longstanding connection with the team, having been part of its driver academy before that.
Both drivers have shown enthusiasm about the prospect of working together, and despite their age difference—Hamilton being 13 years older than Leclerc—they have started the 2025 season on positive terms. In fact, they’ve been engaging in friendly activities, like playing online chess together in recent weeks, which Vasseur points out as evidence of their strong start as teammates.
Vasseur emphasized the importance of maintaining a positive and cooperative relationship within the team, especially early in the season. He acknowledged that it’s typical for drivers to be in a honeymoon phase at this point, where everything seems harmonious, but he was optimistic that this unity would continue. Reflecting on their early interactions, Vasseur stated that the collaboration between Hamilton and Leclerc had been “mega good.” He wasn’t surprised by this, as the two drivers had already taken the time to engage and build rapport, even during pre-race parades the previous year.
Despite the positive early signs, Vasseur is well aware of the pressures that can come as the season progresses. He noted that the most crucial aspect of their collaboration is to maintain the relationship and continue working together as a team. Vasseur remains confident that the pair will keep their focus on pushing Ferrari forward as a united front.
Formula 1 has a history of teammate rivalries that have turned contentious, especially when championships are at stake. One notable example is the intense rivalry between Hamilton and his former Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg from 2013 to 2016, which ultimately resulted in Rosberg securing the 2016 championship. Given this history, many are watching to see how Hamilton and Leclerc’s partnership will evolve, especially since both drivers are highly competitive.
Vasseur, however, is optimistic that both drivers will learn from one another and use their competitive spirits to raise their performances. Rather than discourage competition, he sees it as a positive force that could push both Hamilton and Leclerc to perform at their best. As the season progresses, he believes their healthy rivalry will be a driving force for Ferrari’s success, and that the team will benefit from having two top-tier drivers pushing each other.
Vasseur’s confidence in this dynamic reflects his belief that the collaboration between Hamilton and Leclerc will be constructive, and that both will contribute to Ferrari’s development throughout the year.
