Charles Leclerc has lengthy been a key determine at Ferrari, however with Lewis Hamilton now becoming a member of the staff, Fred Vasseur believes the seven-time champion is precisely the teammate the Monegasque wanted.
Ferrari despatched shockwaves by way of the F1 world once they introduced Hamilton’s blockbuster transfer from Mercedes for the 2025 System 1 marketing campaign. His change marks the top of a dominant 12-year stint with the Silver Arrows, the place he claimed six of his seven world titles. Now, with an preliminary two-year deal and an possibility for 2027, Hamilton is setting his sights on an eighth championship—whereas additionally reshaping Ferrari’s dynamic, probably shifting the main focus away from Leclerc, who has led the staff since 2019.
Fred Vasseur explains why Lewis Hamilton is the best companion for Charles Leclerc
Whereas Pink Bull boss Christian Horner insists that Lewis Hamilton should mould Ferrari round himself to mount a title problem, Fred Vasseur has a unique perspective. The Ferrari staff principal is satisfied that Hamilton is the right addition alongside Charles Leclerc, bringing expertise and management that may elevate all the staff.
Since arriving at Maranello, the Monegasque has gone head-to-head with two formidable teammates—first four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, after which Carlos Sainz. Now, he faces a brand new problem in Hamilton, a driver with 105 Grand Prix victories to his identify.
Ferrari’s choice to usher in Hamilton meant strolling away from contract negotiations with Carlos Sainz, signaling a transparent shift of their ambitions. Nonetheless, for Fred Vasseur, the signing is about extra than simply efficiency. Having labored with Hamilton throughout his title-winning GP2 season in 2006, the Frenchman believes the Brit’s expertise, maturity, and starvation for achievement make him precisely the appropriate companion to push Leclerc and Ferrari ahead.
The French supervisor instructed Sky Sports activities that Hamilton has modified considerably through the years, noting that he’s now twenty years older than once they first labored collectively. He emphasised that everybody evolves over time, gaining expertise and growing their expertise.
In keeping with Fred Vasseur, Hamilton has grow to be way more mature and educated, making him a super addition to the staff. He said that this was exactly what he had been searching for—not just for Ferrari as an entire but in addition for himself and Charles Leclerc—believing that their partnership types the right mixture.
Charles Leclerc Should Maintain His Floor as Lewis Hamilton Goals to Form Ferrari in His Picture
Leclerc will undoubtedly look to soak up as a lot information as attainable from Hamilton, whose record-breaking profession contains 105 Grand Prix wins, 104 pole positions, and 202 podium finishes. Nonetheless, the 27-year-old should be certain that he doesn’t enable the seven-time champion to claim full dominance inside the staff.
Whereas Ferrari staff principal Fred Vasseur envisions them as a super pairing, their ambitions inevitably conflict—each drivers have their sights set on securing the title. Charles Leclerc has performed a vital position in Ferrari’s resurgence, serving to the staff edge nearer to the entrance of the grid and ending simply 14 factors behind McLaren in final 12 months’s constructors’ standings.
Regardless of his contributions, the Monegasque’s private tally of eight race victories, 43 podiums, and 26 pole positions falls in need of Hamilton’s achievements. With Ferrari’s continued growth—most notably their shift to a pull-rod suspension on the SF-25—Leclerc should seize the momentum and set up himself because the staff’s main drive slightly than permitting Hamilton to dictate Ferrari’s course.
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