Both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc could prove to be each other’s toughest challenges of their careers as they enter their first season as Ferrari teammates.
Hamilton is aware that his Ferrari stint could be the end of the road for his Formula 1 career and the last chance for him to redeem his gut-wrenching loss to Max Verstappen in 2021.
For Leclerc, his team finally have a car capable of consistently taking victories but he now has to beat one of the best drivers of all time if he wants to win the Drivers’ Championship.
Hamilton showed elite car control in his first Ferrari test as cold and damp conditions hampered his running at Fiorano.
It was part of a plan that originally had him scheduled to drive on Monday before rain thwarted their attempts to hit the track.
Over 1,000 Ferrari fans descended on Fiorano for Hamilton’s first Ferrari test, with some even camping beforehand to make sure they got the best view possible.
Charles Leclerc will ‘never’ be a world champion unless his race pace takes a ‘step’
Leclerc hasn’t been able to head into a season with genuine hopes of competing for a title since 2022 when Ferrari started the year challenging Red Bull.
Their development let them down and their charge tailed off, but after finishing 14 points shy of the Constructors’ Championship last season, they have greater hopes of a strong campaign for 2025.
Leclerc believes there is an emotional downside to driving for Ferrari but it’s something which may prove to be special if he can win.
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Mike Hezemans believes that he will never be a world champion unless he can improve his race pace relative to Hamilton this year.
“I think Hamilton is honestly better in the race than Leclerc and I think that you will see that too,” he said. “But Leclerc will also have to take that step otherwise he will never become world champion.
“I say very often Leclerc is the best behaved of everyone who drives around and that is also his problem. You have to be [assertive] and the biggest egoist.”
Charles Leclerc has one key advantage over Lewis Hamilton in 2025
Leclerc is heading into his seventh season with Ferrari in 2025, which could prove to be his biggest advantage over Hamilton.
He knows the team inside out from his colleagues to how things are run operationally. There’s nothing for him to adjust to.
Hamilton’s list is incredibly long and starts with getting used to a new car. If he can’t do that then he won’t be able to win anyway.
READ MORE: Guenther Steiner shares why Lewis Hamilton needs the ‘pressure’ at Ferrari ahead of 2025 title fight
Team boss Fred Vasseur has known him for over 20 years and offers some level of familiarity, and he might have the toughest job of anyone on the grid.
He must manage the expectations of the strong Italian fanbase, as well as his drivers who want to take advantage of a big opportunity to win.
Falling short and seeing their 17-year championship drought extend wouldn’t do Vasseur’s position within the team any favours.
