Charles Leclerc may have his best chance yet to win the Formula 1 world championship in 2025. But he knows he’ll now have to beat the sport’s most successful driver to achieve that goal.
Leclerc joined Ferrari at the start of the 2019 season, but it took them until 2024 to mount a sustained challenge in the constructors’ championship. They ended up finishing just 14 points behind McLaren.
The Scuderia scored more points than any other team over the two season-ending triple-headers. And with minimal changes to the regulations, it’s entirely feasible that they arrive at the Australian Grand Prix as the team to beat.
Leclerc scored a career-high 13 podiums last year and matched his best win tally of three. He was actually closer to Max Verstappen than he was in 2022 (81 points vs 146), despite finishing a place lower (third vs second).
Karun Chandhok says Leclerc was F1’s second-best driver in 2024 behind the world champion. This is arguably the most complete version of the Monegasque yet.
Indeed, Martin Brundle believes Leclerc is even faster than Verstappen over a single lap. That’s worrying for Hamilton, who turned in his worst-ever qualifying showing in 2024.
Charles Leclerc was adamant he’d never let his teammate win the title
Sky Italy commentator Carlo Vanzini gave Leclerc his ‘Il Predestinato’ nickname. He used it during his rookie season at Sauber, but it became famous in 2019 when he scored his first Grand Prix wins at Spa and Ferrari’s home race Monza.
Speaking on the Lo Stagista Podcast in 2022, Vanzini explained the inspiration behind the nickname. When Leclerc was 15, he was dispatched to Sky to conduct media training.
In a mock press conference, Vanzini asked Leclerc what he’d do if he was starting on pole and his teammate was fighting for the title. The youngster replied that he’d look after himself, rather than help the sister car.
He then approached the journalist afterwards to make it clear that he’d never find himself in that scenario. Even before his senior career had begun, he was adamant that he wouldn’t let his teammate win the championship.
Vanzini said: “This kid, when we get out, follows me and tells me ‘it was the question that was wrong, because it will never be possible that we end up fighting for the title and it’s my teammate fighting for it instead of me’.”
Charles Leclerc is ready to copy Max Verstappen in one way as Lewis Hamilton battle looms
Leclerc’s comments offer a symbolic warning to Hamilton ahead of his Ferrari debut. He isn’t regarded as an especially aggressive driver, but that could change if the drivers’ title is on the line.
At 27, Leclerc may now be approaching his peak. By contrast, Hamilton is about to turn 40 and must counter the whispers that he’s in decline.
Leclerc may find it ‘difficult’ to handle Hamilton’s fame in the early months of their partnership. He’s used to being the star at Ferrari but F1’s biggest name may now overshadow him.
However, Leclerc is ready to channel his inner Verstappen on track if it’s necessary. That means ‘playing with the rules’ if he’s defending a championship lead late in the season.
