“He is still Lewis Hamilton”: Charles Leclerc has no words of advice for 7-time F1 champion as Ferrari coalition looms near

RaceF1 Grand Prix of Bahrain - Source: Getty
Charles Leclerc feels racing with Lewis Hamilton would be a learning opportunity (Getty Images)

Charles Leclerc feels that Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari would positively impact him as he would have the opportunity to learn. Leclerc also claimed that the seven-time F1 World Champion does not need any advice from him.

Hamilton is currently racing in his final season with Mercedes. Prior to the start of the season, his departure from the team was announced as he struck a multi-year deal with Ferrari. He will replace Carlos Sainz in the team and partner Charles Leclerc.

Leclerc, who currently appears to be the team's stronger driver, feels that he would learn from Lewis Hamilton racing in the same car. Stating that he has very little weaknesses, Leclerc said (via Race):

"I will be super curious to see what he has done right for all his career to have had all the success that he's had. He has very little weaknesses - well actually, I don't know any weaknesses of Lewis. He's a super strong driver, always there, super fast, super consistent."

The 26-year-old added that driving with Hamilton in the same car motivates him and that he wouldn't require any advice because he is "still Lewis Hamilton."

"It will be super interesting for me to learn from Lewis, as much as showing what I am capable of in the same car as Lewis. These two things motivate me a lot. Lewis is still incredibly fast. He is still Lewis Hamilton. So, I don't think he needs any advice from me!" Leclerc said.

Charles Leclerc on his evolving relationship with Lewis Hamilton

In an interview with BeIN Sports on September 25, the Ferrari driver revealed that he has been on good terms with his future teammate for a long time. However, he has been getting to know Hamilton better since the announcement was made earlier in the season.

"We always had a good relationship in the past," Leclerc said. "But since, when we knew that we’ll be teammates from next year, we got to know each other a bit more. We spoke quite often about our common passion, like with music for example, or fashion."

He further said that Lewis Hamilton is currently focused on Mercedes, and the two didn't talk much of on-track matters.

"We didn't speak yet too much about racing in itself because he's still fully focused on his Mercedes season and I'm still focused on this season...but it will come," Leclerc added.

The season started out rather tough for Hamilton as the Mercedes W15 failed to compete with their rivals. However, the mid-season upgrades helped the car bring itself within the top competition. Hamilton won the British and Belgian Grand Prix, also finishing P3 in Spain and Hungary. He has been out of the top five in the recent races (except Italy), but the team sits strong in fourth place in the standings.

Quick Links

Edited by Shirsh