Charles Leclerc has admitted that his record against Lewis Hamilton “doesn’t interest me that much” until Ferrari begins disputing “interesting positions” in Formula 1.
Leclerc has harboured the measure over Hamilton during the latter’s debut campaign with Ferrari, beating him on all but two occasions across the opening 13 rounds.
The Monegasque’s all but unassailable lead in the intra-team contest in 2025 has delivered minimal reward, though, amid Ferrari’s tribulations with the troubled SF-25.
That has restricted the Maranello-based squad’s competitive ceiling to occasional podiums this season, with Leclerc logging the team’s five top-three finishes to date.
But Leclerc, who lies 30 points ahead, has revealed that working with Hamilton to reverse Ferrari’s prospects has taken precedence in his mind over their internal duel.
“It’s something that really is in the background for now,” Leclerc told media including Motorsport Week.
“You’re always looking at it in one way or another, but to be honest, when you are fighting for fourth, fifth, sixth, it’s not really something that interests me that much.
“Then, of course, when we start to fight for wins, then you look at those things a lot closer.
“But it’s not really been part of my… I was just here to try and learn as much as possible from Lewis of what I could learn, what could benefit me as a driver, and then focus on myself with the target of doing the best possible job, which means beating Lewis, but not only.
“I think the main target of the team and my main target at the moment is to bring Ferrari back to the top.
“And, yeah, Lewis is not my target at the moment because we’re not fighting for very interesting positions.”
Leclerc content with Ferrari progress
Leclerc’s drive to third in last weekend’s Belgian Grand Prix – his fourth visit to the rostrum in six races – coincided with Ferrari introducing an updated rear suspension.
“I’m pleased with the steps forward we are doing,” the eight-time F1 race winner expressed.
“I think we should all be proud about that because I know there’s a lot of work behind the scenes from the people back at home for us to have this upgrade here.
“It definitely helped us to get the podium when you see how close it was with Max [Verstappen] today.
“However, we are all aware that this is not enough, and we need to keep pushing in order to be closer to the McLaren.
“This is very clear for the whole team. It doesn’t change that we shall be satisfied with what we’ve done this weekend.”
However, when asked whether he suspects Ferrari will be stronger in Hungary this weekend, Leclerc answered: “I’m not sure. I will rather wait before exposing myself.”
READ MORE – Ferrari outlines missing ingredient in ongoing Lewis Hamilton F1 podium drought
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