From the very beginning of his junior career, Charles Leclerc has been Ferrari’s prodigy. He was signed up for the project back in 2019 with the clear intention of making him the team’s next champion.
Naturally, the spotlight in Maranello has always been on the #16 driver. However, that changed when the team decided to sign seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton for 2025 and beyond.
With the #44 driver having officially joined Ferrari earlier this year, Leclerc has seemingly lost his prominence.
That’s exactly why former Alpine and Aston Martin team principal Otmar Szafnauer has suggested that Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur handles the Monegasque with care.
The first episode of The Team Principal Podcast with Otmar Szafnauer is out NOW!
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Urging an approach of empathy, the 60-year-old said on The Race podcast, “As a team principal you have to be cognizant of that [and] you have to be empathetic. Understand what the other driver is feeling, too, and make sure he’s not left out”.
Intra-team rivalries have a tendency to escalate within the F1 paddock. And if Ferrari wants to end their 17-year-long title drought, they would require to be firing on all cylinders. Thus, if Leclerc develops resentment towards Hamilton, it could jeopardize their title ambitions.
Despite getting off to a good start, Ferrari risks bitter rivalry in 2025
As things stand, the duo of Leclerc and Hamilton share a pretty good rapport with each other. The #16 driver sees Hamilton as a mentor and someone he can learn from, given his extensive experience of winning in this sport.
Moreover, the duo also share many interests outside of the track. The duo are equally passionate about music and fashion, and Leclerc has also echoed his sentiments about collaborating with Hamilton in these endeavors. Moreover, the two were also recently spotted playing chess together, suggesting that they have found another common passion.
That said, the real test of their relationship will only be dictated on the track. Going into the 2025 season, the SF-25 is touted to be a race-winning package given where the team left off last season.
And if the early indications are true, it could cause some rifts between the two drivers. Hamilton will be gunning for his record eighth world title while Leclerc will be looking to fulfill his ambitions of winning his maiden title with Ferrari. And if pitted against each other, in equal machinery, there could be some friction.
