The battle between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc is set to be one of, if not the most interesting fights in the 2025 F1 season.
Ferrari have formed what is arguably the strongest driver pairing on the grid this year. The Maranello will be hoping Hamilton and Leclerc can help mount a title challenge in the SF-25.
Fans have had to wait almost a year to see Hamilton wearing the famous red of Ferrari after announcing his move from Mercedes early last year. Frederic Vasseur ‘deliberately’ signed Hamilton before the 2025 season to give the team momentum into 2024.
Ferrari lost to McLaren in the constructors’ championship by 14 points after securing five wins through Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. Now with Hamilton alongside the Monegasque driver, the Maranello outfit want to go one step further.
Hamilton is ‘energised and reinvigorated’ heading into 2025 after switching Mercedes for Ferrari. He will want to stamp his authority at Ferrari but he will have a tough task of going up against Leclerc, who is firmly ingrained in the team’s set-up and one of the strongest drives over one lap.
Hamilton and Leclerc are set to get equal treatment in 2025, which sets up an exciting intra-team battle at Ferrari. It is almost certain to catch the attention of Drive to Survive – with plans on how to cover the drivers already in motion.
Drive to Survive producer hints ‘juicy’ plans of Lewis Hamilton vs Charles Leclerc episodes in season eight
Netflix dropped season seven of their hit documentary series on Friday, detailing the drama of the 2024 season. This year is set to be even more dramatic with a tense battle for the title between the top four teams.
Ferrari are sure to feature heavily in season eight with it being Hamilton’s first season in red. They will have cameras on the 40-year-old throughout 2025 as he looks to challenge for the championship.
But executive producer James Gay-Rees does not expect Leclerc to ‘play second fiddle’ with Hamilton. Speaking with the official F1 website, he hopes Ferrari are ‘super competitive’ to produce ‘juicy’ episodes for Drive to Survive next year.
READ MORE: All you need to know about Scuderia Ferrari from team principal to factory
“To have the chance to refresh and reinvigorate your appetite and have a new challenge like that is brilliant,” he says of Hamilton’s move, before bringing up a name that has not yet been mentioned: teammate Charles Leclerc.
“I’m a massive Lewis fan and I’m also a Charles fan. Obviously, it’s all very polite and respectful right now, but Charles is not going to want to play second fiddle, is he? I can’t wait to see those two go at it.
“I would love Ferrari to be super-competitive. It would be amazing if those guys were in the mix and competing against each other for real – for the big one. It could be juicy!”
Helmut Marko names Lewis Hamilton’s ‘supernatural’ trait that could spell trouble for Charles Leclerc
It may be too soon to predict Hamilton to beat Leclerc in his first season with Ferrari. The Brit still has a lot to learn and adapt to at the team – and he could turn to his teammate for help.
Interestingly, Hamilton was seen using Leclerc’s ‘dynamite’ trait of throttle and brake overlap in testing. This has been key to the latter’s success in qualifying and could be hugely beneficial to Hamilton.
It could also be a worry for Leclerc as his teammate could use it to his advantage and get the edge over him. Helmut Marko marvelled over Hamilton’s ‘supernatural’ improvement ahead of his first race for Ferrari – his motivation will only spur him on further.
Despite Hamilton’s seismic arrival, Vasseur says the pressure is off Leclerc as he is focusing on himself ahead of 2025. This approach may be good for the 27-year-old, but he will have to step up to beat the man on the other side of the garage.
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