F1 NEWS: Charles Leclerc spots something ‘really exciting’ about Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari…read more
Charles Leclerc, the Monegasque driver, has expressed his optimism about Ferrari’s prospects in the upcoming season, citing the arrival of Lewis Hamilton as a potential catalyst for ending the team’s championship drought. The drought, which dates back to 2008, has been a source of frustration for the Scuderia, but Leclerc believes that Hamilton’s influence can make all the difference.
Leclerc, who has clinched eight Grand Prix victories and harbors championship aspirations, praised Hamilton for the immediate impact he has had on the team. “When I joined, I only had one year in Formula One, so it was still new to me, and I had to learn how a team like Ferrari would work in Formula One,” Leclerc said. “For Lewis, an Italian team is new to him, but he’s achieved so much. It’s really cool to see what it was like for him to have so much success in other teams and the way they used to work.”
Leclerc also noted that Hamilton’s enthusiasm and excitement about joining Ferrari have been palpable. “We’ve learned a lot, and it was really exciting also to see how happy and excited he was about the whole thing,” Leclerc said. The Monegasque driver admitted that he enjoyed a quieter off-season, which was overshadowed by the media frenzy surrounding Hamilton’s high-profile switch to Ferrari.
The partnership between Leclerc and Hamilton could prove advantageous for Ferrari, as they have discovered a surprising harmony in their driving styles and setup preferences. “I was surprised – our driving style is very similar,” Leclerc said. “We both like to push quite a lot, especially the entries, and on that, we are similar. That’s positive because I think it requires the same thing out of the car, and I think as a team, that is always a good thing because we’re definitely pushing in the same direction.”
Leclerc and Hamilton have spent a significant amount of time together since the beginning of the year, working on car development and building their partnership. “We’ve spent quite a bit of time together since the beginning of the year,” Leclerc said. “Less on track, more in the studio to do pictures, which is not the part we enjoy most, but it’s part of the job. I’m looking forward to racing with him and hopefully bringing Ferrari back to the top.”
Hamilton, who has joined Ferrari to win an eighth title before he retires, has been facing questions about his longevity. However, the Brit insists that he is “built different” and that his focus on winning remains unwavering. “You can’t compare me to another 40-year-old, past or present, Formula One driver in history, because they are nothing like me,” Hamilton told Time Magazine. “I’m hungry, driven, don’t have a wife and kids. I’m focused on one thing, and that’s winning. That’s my No. 1 priority.”
