Breaking:Leclerc’s Shocking Comments on Hamilton’s ‘Incredible’ Skills, Mindset, and Ferrari’s Decline.Leclerc says that…
Charles Leclerc says that when Ferrari informed him Lewis Hamilton would be joining the team next year, his initial reaction was: “What an opportunity.”
Seven-time champion Hamilton will be Leclerc’s third teammate in what will be his seventh season at Ferrari, following four-time champion Sebastian Vettel and current partner Carlos Sainz.
“For me,” Leclerc tells BBC Sport in an extensive exclusive interview, “it’s an incredible opportunity. First, to learn from the most successful driver ever. And to prove myself as well against Lewis, who is a benchmark for everybody.”
Inside F1, some saw Ferrari’s decision to sign Hamilton last winter as a setback for Leclerc.
For years, the team had made it clear that Leclerc was their chosen driver to lead them to the World Championship. To some, signing Hamilton seemed to suggest Ferrari might have lost some confidence in their protégé.
Leclerc, 26, says he never saw it that way.
“Not at all,” he says. “Because Ferrari is Ferrari. And they need the best drivers in their cars. So, for the benefit of Ferrari, it is completely understandable.
“For me, I don’t see any negative in that because it’s Lewis Hamilton.”
Does Leclerc think he can beat Hamilton?
“Well,” he says. “I need to be convinced that I am the fastest driver when I put the helmet on, but I am really looking forward to it, and it will be super interesting for me.
“I have always said you learn from every single teammate you have over your career. When I look at the way he drives – because we always look at each other and data – you don’t really see any weaknesses. And that’s where Lewis is incredible. He’s only got strengths.
“So I’m really looking forward to seeing how he works with his engineers, the feedback, and all of these kinds of things, to learn and become better.”
