Lewis Hamilton has admitted that he has an uphill task to beat Charles Leclerc at Ferrari in Formula 1 due to his new team-mate being “well-embedded” within the team.
Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari has seen him partner Leclerc in a line-up that pits an established multiple-time champion against a driver regarded as a title winner in waiting.
The Briton has made the much-anticipated move to the Italian marque bidding to end his acclaimed career with a record eighth title with the sport’s most celebrated team.
But he is aware that will depend on whether he can overcome the internal threat that Leclerc, who enhanced his reputation with an excellent campaign in 2024, will provide.
The Monegasque has been immersed in the Ferrari environment since 2016 and has represented the team on the grand stage since 2019, securing eight wins in that time.
That is a detail that his team-mate is not underestimating, with Hamilton pinpointing Leclerc’s raw speed and maturity as two assets that will ensure he faces a tough test.
“Charles, we’ve got a great relationship,” Hamilton told media including Motorsport Week. “And I’m just trying to observe how he works. He’s very, very professional.
“He’s clearly well-loved within this team and well-embedded in this team. It’s super comfortable. So, he jumps in and he’s on it straight away.
“He’s very fast. And I’m completely aware of that. You’ve seen his qualifying laps that he’s put in. He’s put great races together.
“I told you in Bahrain, many years ago [in 2019], he’s got such a bright future ahead of him.
“He’s only 27. So, he’s very mature for a 27-year-old, I think probably more mature than I was when I was 27.
“It is not going to be easy to beat him naturally, especially in his home.
“But we’ll work together and we’ll collaborate to make sure the car’s moving, the team can move forwards in the right way. And we’re going to have some great races, I hope.”
READ MORE – Charles Leclerc: Lewis Hamilton has made Ferrari F1 move at ‘the right time’
