Ferrari have one of the most exciting Formula 1 driver pairings ever as Lewis Hamilton joins Charles Leclerc for the 2025 season.
The Brit is chasing a record eighth drivers’ championship and has joined one of the form teams in the sport to achieve his goals.
Ferrari missed out on ending a 16-year title drought by just 14 points last season, but Hamilton may give them the extra advantage they need to bring home some silverware.
Ferrari face an ‘additional obstacle’ for Hamilton’s 2025 car after deciding to abandon their previous concept and design an entirely new car for this season.
With the 2026 F1 regulations around the corner, it’s a risk-free move in the long term and shows how ‘all-in’ they are on this campaign
It offers a challenge to Leclerc too, who must adjust to a new machine and cope with the demands of being pushed by a seven-time champion across the garage.
Ferrari team orders for Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc after Monaco ‘absolutely nonsense’
The last time Ferrari’s two drivers battled closely was during the Monegasque’s debut season at the Scuderia in 2019. He claimed two more pole positions than the 39-year-old, despite him claiming a fifth Formula 1 title comfortably.
Giedo van der Garde believes Hamilton can learn a lot from Leclerc, who is coming up against a driver whose strength (qualifying) may be his biggest weakness.
Hamilton has already worked to address Leclerc’s Ferrari experience advantage but one pre-season won’t eliminate six years of knowledge.
READ MORE: What Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc discussed during ‘every meeting’ in the F1 paddock in 2024
They’re likely to be closely matched on track, and Peter Windsor believes the idea of Ferrari introducing team orders after the Monaco Grand Prix is nonsense.
“I think it’s absolutely nonsense. I don’t think they’re going to do that and if anybody is saying they are, or even if Ferrari are saying they are, they’re just misleading people. It’s complete nonsense,” he said.
“They wouldn’t do it at Monaco, no chance. What does it mean anyway? Let’s say Lewis wins the first four Grands Prix, they get to Monaco and have an official announcement saying ‘From here on in, Lewis is our number one driver.’
“Does that mean if Charles is about to win the British Grand Prix and Lewis is second and Lando is third, that Charles is going to slow down on the last lap at the British Grand Prix and let Lewis Hamilton win? I don’t think that would happen.”
Piero Ferrari suggests Charles Leclerc faces a ‘generational issue’ after Lewis Hamilton’s arrival
There are 12 years between the two Ferrari drivers, which accounts for a lot of experience and knowledge in Formula 1 terms.
Piero Ferrari thinks Leclerc faces a ‘generational issue’ against Hamilton and that each will have their advantages over each other.
Fans were reignited by Ferrari’s Hamilton and Leclerc promotion which showcased them in red gear together for the first time.
READ MORE: Why Charles Leclerc needs to be ‘careful’ around Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari situation
It showed how much hype there is for the drivers to compete with each other, starting with the Australian Grand Prix in March.
Their first taste of the SF-25 will come at the Fiorano test track on February 19, before moving on to pre-season testing in Bahrain one week later.
