Lewis Hamilton’s driving appeared to terrify team-mate Charles Leclerc as the F1 duo took a spin in a brand new Ferrari car for the brand’s YouTube channel.
Lewis Hamilton left Charles Leclerc visibly unnerved during a high-speed joyride in Ferrari’s most powerful road car to date. The pair of Formula 1 stars took turns behind the wheel of the new Ferrari F80 as part of a promotional video for Ferrari’s official YouTube channel. The thrilling session took place on the brand’s exclusive Maranello test track in Italy.
Leclerc initially took the F80 for a spin, showcasing the supercar’s incredible performance. But the mood shifted when the teammates swapped seats. With Hamilton at the wheel, Leclerc quickly went from composed to visibly nervous. The Monegasque driver clutched the armrest and let out a nervous laugh before exclaiming, “I hate to be a passenger!”
Hamilton, known for his calmness under pressure and razor-sharp driving instincts, was clearly enjoying himself. He later admitted, “This is the fastest road car I’ve ever been in,” praising the machine’s blistering pace and handling. The duo pushed the car to its limits on the track, but Hamilton’s aggressive driving style appeared to give Leclerc more than he bargained for.
After the run, the pair returned to the garage, still buzzing from the adrenaline rush. Leclerc jokingly told Hamilton he had given him a headache with his pace, prompting laughter from both drivers. Their chemistry was on full display, signaling a strong rapport despite being in a high-pressure team environment.
Ferrari may be struggling on the Formula 1 track so far this season, but one silver lining has been the seemingly smooth relationship between its two star drivers. Despite some early-season disagreements over team orders, Hamilton and Leclerc appear to have developed mutual respect and camaraderie.
Hamilton Looking to Reignite His Season
While Leclerc currently has the upper hand on the circuit, with three podium finishes in 2025 and a 25-point lead over his new teammate, Hamilton’s start to life at Ferrari has been steady, if not spectacular. The seven-time world champion has delivered consistent performances but has yet to crack the top three in any Grand Prix this year.
The pressure is mounting on Hamilton—and by extension, team principal Fred Vasseur—as Ferrari fans and critics alike demand results. The performance of the SF-25 chassis has not made life easy for either driver, but questions are beginning to swirl around whether Hamilton is truly maximizing the car’s potential compared to Leclerc.
With the mid-season stretch approaching, Hamilton faces a crucial period to turn things around. One key milestone on the horizon is the British Grand Prix, set to be his first race on home soil as a Ferrari driver. Having won the event a record nine times, Hamilton will be desperate to deliver a standout performance in front of his home crowd—and silence the doubters questioning his current form.
After a fairytale win at Silverstone in 2024, Hamilton knows exactly what it takes to triumph under pressure. Ferrari fans will be hoping that the thrill ride with Leclerc was just a warm-up—and that the real fireworks are still to come.
