Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton are set to become teammates in 2025, creating one of the strongest pairings on the Formula 1 grid. Leclerc recently signed a surprising deal with Ferrari for the upcoming season, adding to the intrigue of this partnership. Both drivers possess exceptional skills and have their own unique strengths, making their on-track battles in the iconic red cars highly anticipated. However, former F1 driver Pablo Montoya has raised concerns about the potential clash of personalities between the two.
Leclerc’s move to Ferrari comes after a challenging 2024 season with Mercedes, as the team’s performance declined. The British driver, who is 39 years old, is hoping that joining Maranello will reignite his winning form. Meanwhile, Leclerc has enjoyed a successful season with Ferrari, thanks to the team’s consistent efforts. It remains to be seen how well the two drivers will work together in the same team, but it promises to be an interesting dynamic.
In addition to their contrasting driving styles, Leclerc and Hamilton also have different personalities. Leclerc excels in qualifying, while Hamilton is known for his overtaking skills. This could lead to clashes between the two drivers as they compete to outperform each other on the track. Montoya believes that there will be a “personality clash” within the team in the near future.
Leclerc has quickly risen to success at Ferrari and currently outranks Hamilton in the drivers’ standings for this season. 2016 F1 champion Nico Rosberg expressed his excitement about their partnership, stating that he is “looking forward” to seeing how they work together. However, Rosberg also noted that Leclerc has been the second-best qualifier behind the dominant Hamilton. Therefore, the collaboration between Leclerc and Hamilton at Ferrari is expected to provide a fierce competition between the two drivers. Joining Ferrari may prove advantageous for Hamilton as he aims to achieve better results than his current performance at Mercedes.
Both drivers are currently making the most of their setups within their respective teams. However, the consistency of Ferrari and Hamilton’s experience could be a winning combination. The 39-year-old driver might have a chance to compete for the world championship once again. For now, Hamilton’s focus remains on finishing the 2024 season strongly with the Brackley team.