Charles Leclerc reflects on his first season with Ferrari as Lewis Hamilton‘s teammate. The Briton began his new role as a driver for the Scuderia in February 2025, but so far, it has not yielded the desired results. Although Leclerc has more experience as a driver for the Italian racing team – the Monegasque has been serving the Italians for eight years – he was also unable to assist his teammate due to lack of time: ‘There were already so many things I had to focus on’.
With only a fourth place in the constructors’ championship, Ferrari has had a disappointing 2025. There was no victory for the Scuderia throughout the year, although Charles Leclerc did make it to the podium seven times. Teammate Lewis Hamilton, however, did not get to stand on the podium at all, and at the end of the year, he expressed his eagerness for the winter break.
With seven seasons under his belt in Scuderia red, Carlos Sainz Jr is the more experienced driver in the Italian team, but he was unable to assist his British teammate in his transition. “Of course, it’s my job to maximize everything I can within my control,” the Monegasque tells the media. “And there are already so many things I need to focus on for myself and the team, to ensure that my driving style fits the car as well as possible. It’s naturally difficult for me to then also spend time helping Hamilton. Moreover, Lewis has achieved much more than I ever have. I don’t really have any advice to give him.”
‘Time Needed’
Prior to his Ferrari adventure, Hamilton drove for Mercedes for over a decade, winning six world titles with the German team. According to team boss Frédéric Vasseur, the world champion therefore had to adjust incredibly in Maranello. Leclerc agrees with his team boss. “It’s definitely a long process when you join a new team. I mean, I don’t even remember what it’s like to join a new team. I’ve been with Ferrari for eight years,” continues the Monegasque. “So I know how it works. And of course, everything feels very natural. But for Lewis, even after a year, it’s still a bit new. The processes are completely different, the way you have the vision, the team, the way you work. So all of that, he still needs some time to adjust.”
