Heading into the 2025 Formulation 1 season, Ferrari’s staff principal, Frederic Vasseur, is more likely to really feel a way of confidence, realizing that he has secured what might very nicely be the strongest driver pairing on the grid.
With Lewis Hamilton boasting extra world championships than every other driver within the paddock mixed, and Charles Leclerc persevering with to say that he’s the quickest driver presently in Formulation 1 regardless of missing a title, Ferrari’s problem shall be to handle the dynamics between these two distinctive abilities, particularly if they’ve a automobile that may compete on the highest stage.
Ferrari completed second within the Constructors’ Championship in 2024, and it wouldn’t take a lot enchancment for the Scuderia to surpass McLaren, notably contemplating the way in which Fred Vasseur’s staff concluded the earlier season.
One space of focus for Ferrari heading into 2025 is a long-standing challenge they’ve recognized, which they plan to resolve. This enchancment is anticipated to learn each Hamilton and Leclerc, enhancing their efficiency as they goal to push for a title.
A key side to look at this season will undoubtedly be the connection between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc as teammates. The dynamic between the Monegasque driver and his former teammate, Carlos Sainz, was notably shut throughout Carlos Sainz’s four-year tenure at Ferrari, although they had been by no means direct championship rivals. In distinction, the depth between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton could possibly be a lot larger, notably if they’re constantly battling for race victories.
Nevertheless, Lewis Hamilton’s feedback about Charles Leclerc through the 2019 season supply some intriguing perception, suggesting {that a} sturdy basis of mutual respect exists between the 2 Ferrari drivers. These remarks have develop into much more vital now that they are going to be teammates, and the interaction between them within the upcoming season could possibly be some of the compelling storylines to comply with.
Charles Leclerc’s spectacular performances throughout his debut season with Sauber in 2018 earned him a promotion to Ferrari for the 2019 season. That yr, he rapidly made his mark, securing 5 podium finishes earlier than clinching his first-ever Formulation 1 victory on the Belgian Grand Prix.
After the race, the British driver remarked that Charles Leclerc had been unfortunate in a number of races that season, noting that it might simply have been his third win of the yr, following near-misses in Bahrain and Austria. Hamilton expressed confidence that there was far more greatness to return from the Ferrari man, including that he appeared ahead to seeing his growth and racing alongside him. He additionally talked about how pleasant it had been to chase the Monegasque through the race, though he admitted that Charles Leclerc had been just a bit too fast.
On the time, Mattia Binotto, Ferrari’s staff principal and now Audi’s head of Formulation 1, remarked that Leclerc had pushed exceptionally nicely all through the weekend, pushing exhausting from the beginning of the race to the end. He acknowledged that it was necessary for Leclerc to win in honor of Anthoine Hubert and that his dedication was clear. Binotto famous that whereas there had been missed alternatives earlier within the season, profitable at Spa was vital, marking Leclerc’s first victory, and hinted it wouldn’t be the final. He additionally highlighted the particular second of listening to the Monaco nationwide anthem.
Ferrari is already placing measures in place for Lewis Hamilton’s preliminary Formulation 1 exams, however the heightened consideration from followers, particularly across the staff’s Fiorano check observe, makes maintaining these plans below wraps troublesome. Hamilton is ready to begin his work in Ferrari’s simulator, adhering to the principles which restrict him to 1000 km of driving earlier than official F1 testing begins. This locations him at a drawback in comparison with Charles Leclerc, who, though unfamiliar with the 2025 automobile, has a greater understanding of Ferrari’s operations and staff dynamics.
The British driver will doubtless take part in three exams earlier than the official Bahrain session, the place he’ll spend 1.5 days working alongside the remainder of the grid. Ferrari’s aim is to assemble intensive suggestions from each drivers, with hopes of taking that essential subsequent step towards securing their first title since 2008. The inner competitors between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc is sure to be fierce, with Leclerc already having overcome an F1 champion previously. If he can accomplish that once more, he could cement his place among the many sport’s elite.