Hamilton’s influence sparks change behind the scenes at Maranello
Charles Leclerc says Ferrari has undergone a noticeable transformation since Lewis Hamilton joined the team, even if it hasn’t yet translated into major on-track success.
Despite the high-profile addition of Hamilton, Ferrari’s SF-25 has struggled to keep pace with McLaren, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, and Mercedes’ George Russell this season. Leclerc himself has faced difficulties adapting to the car, but he’s seen a new energy and approach take hold within the team.
“It’s been fascinating having Lewis on board, coming from Mercedes,” Leclerc explained to the media “The working methods are very different compared to what we were used to at Ferrari. We might not adopt everything, but his input has broadened our perspective.”
Leclerc added: “Lewis has shared his experience and opinions on different matters. Although our styles differ, that’s normal in Formula 1. It’s been eye-opening.”
Bittersweet Moment After Hamilton’s Sprint Victory
Hamilton provided Ferrari’s highlight of the season so far by winning the sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix. Leclerc admitted he had mixed feelings watching his new teammate celebrate.
“There’s pride because it shows what the car is capable of,” Leclerc said. “But at the same time, it’s tough because you want to be the one achieving those results. It pushed me to dig deeper during qualifying and find more performance.”
Leclerc’s determination paid off when he secured a podium at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Ferrari’s first podium finish in a Sunday race this season.
Finding Answers to Ferrari’s Early-Season Struggles
Leclerc also reflected on the difficulties Ferrari faced with the SF-25 in the early rounds.
“We didn’t start the year the way we wanted, but we’re making steady progress,” he admitted. “At first, the car balance was very unpredictable tricky into corners and suffering from understeer in the middle of turns.”
Although recent updates have helped address some handling issues, Leclerc explained that the improvements have made the car more demanding to drive something he personally enjoys.
“In terms of balance, we’re getting to the sweet spot. What we’re missing now is grip at low and medium speeds, while the high-speed performance isn’t too bad.”
Ferrari introduced a series of upgrades, including new floor components in Bahrain and a revised rear wing in Saudi Arabia. While those updates have helped stabilize performance, the team still has work to do if they are to challenge the front runners consistently.
