A throng of highly-respected Formula 1 personalities are chewing over whether or not Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc would be the greatest winner in Ferrari’s bombshell 2025 driver lineup.
A throng of highly-respected Formula 1 personalities are chewing over whether or not Lewis Hamilton or Charles Leclerc would be the greatest winner in Ferrari‘s bombshell 2025 driver lineup.
Corriere dello Sport this week mentioned incumbent Leclerc is definitely upset that Ferrari has chosen to exchange Carlos Sainz with the seven time world champion.
Former Ferrari driver Felipe Massanonetheless, says Leclerc truly “has nobody to concern”.
“He simply has to focus on his work,” mentioned the Brazilian, who famously paired up with the good Michael Schumacher on the Maranello group.
“Hamilton’s dedication and work ethic are an vital issue that can affect the ambiance within the group,” Massa advised La Gazzetta dello Sport. “But this may even give Charles further motivation, as a result of beating Lewis whereas driving precisely the identical automotive is a really attention-grabbing problem.”
Out of Hamilton – who can be 40 when he arrives in purple – and 26-year-old Leclerc, it’s not clear who can be considered Ferrari’s ‘no 1’.
Ralf Schumacher is in little question: “Hamilton will attempt to be no 1. But I feel he must combat for it as a result of Leclerc has been there for a very long time.
“The most vital factor can be what the drivers need,” he advised Sky Deutschland. “Lewis wants a secure automotive, whereas Charles can drive an unstable automotive. It stays to be seen who will prevail.”
1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuvewhose father Gilles was a well-known Ferrari driver, thinks shifting alongside Leclerc on the age of 40 is definitely a low-risk transfer for Hamilton.
“It’s at a time in historical past the place the group hasn’t gained in a really very long time,” he mentioned. “It would have been totally different, for instance, to reach instantly after Schumacher.
“And if he would not win, it is higher to not win with Ferrari than to not win with Mercedes.”
However, the Canadian wonders if Hamilton is prepared for the distinctive stress of Maranello.
“Ferrari is one other world, wherein it’s not straightforward to outlive,” mentioned Villeneuve. “We will now see how sturdy he’s, together with psychologically.
“Ferrari wears out its drivers. Even somebody like Alonso burned out. The just one who did not was Schumacher.”
On the opposite hand, German motor racing legend Hans-Joachim Stuck thinks Hamilton truly “has lots to lose”.
“If Leclerc beats Hamilton, it will be a nasty finish to his (Hamilton’s) profession,” he advised Eurosport Deutschland.
“I’m curious to see if he can deal with the Ferrari system, the place the whole lot works a little bit otherwise. He will not get to be the massive persona you can have in different groups. Hamilton has to submit.
“Ferrari is Italy. The press is totally totally different – they lust after each little factor, there aren’t any secrets and techniques. This can be a totally new expertise for Hamilton,” Stuck added.
“He may even have a really sturdy teammate in Leclerc. He’s been within the Ferrari system for years and is aware of how issues work. We’ve seen this so many occasions – a driver adjustments groups, a younger driver comes alongside and thrashes him.”
