1997 Formula 1 champion Jacques Villeneuve believes handing Charles Leclerc a long-term contract before signing Lewis Hamilton for 2025 has been “a smart move” by Ferrari.
Ferrari announced this month that it had agreed terms with Hamilton, who activated a break clause in his existing Mercedes agreement to leave at the end of this year.
The Italian marque had already moved to tie down Leclerc beyond this year and it was confirmed the week prior to the Hamilton news dropped that he had extended his stay.
Hamilton’s impending arrival to replace Carlos Sainz from next season will see two of the strongest drivers on the current grid partnered together with equal machinery.
Villeneuve contends that Leclerc should be relishing the opportunity to test himself up against the seven-time champion, while also reserving praise for Ferrari’s negotiations.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff admitted that it had been stung with the timing of the decision, hinting that Leclerc would have been a viable option for the German marque.
Asked by La Gazzetta dello Sport if Leclerc should be concerned about Hamilton coming to Ferrari, Villeneuve said: “He [Hamilton] comes the most successful ever, why should he be? And before getting him, they gave him a very long contract to keep him quiet. A good move, now even clearer.”
Hamilton stands as F1’s most successful driver, but he has not added to his 103 wins since December 2021 amid Mercedes’ struggles with the current ground effect cars.
With his move to Ferrari, Villeneuve hopes that Hamilton will return to being a “formidable” competitor and is excited about the potential intra-team rivalry with Leclerc.
When it was put to him that tensions could bubble beneath the surface at Ferrari from the outset next season, the Canadian added: “Exactly, between the man who has won seven World Championships and the driver who everyone treats as a champion even though he hasn’t yet managed to prove it.
“Two parties will be created at Maranello, as has already happened. But it will also be fun. If we rediscover the Lewis of the great days it will be formidable, also because he has nothing to lose. And finishing in style with Ferrari is the best thing in the world.”
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