Ferrari were “very open and sincere” with Charles Leclerc as he went about signing a new contract while they also spoke with Lewis Hamilton.
The Monégasque driver expressed his awareness of the developments and the transparency shown by the Ferrari team during the negotiations.
Hamilton’s Move to Ferrari Confirmed
Charles Leclerc vs. Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari promises to be one of the most thrilling battles of 2025. Committing his future to Ferrari a week before the bombshell Lewis Hamilton announcement, Leclerc was kept abreast of the developments as Hamilton negotiated his swap to Ferrari.
Hamilton broke the internet back in February when the Briton announced that he had exercised a release clause in his Mercedes contract and would leave the team at the end of the 2024 championship. Shortly after, Ferrari confirmed his signing in a brief statement that simply read: “Scuderia Ferrari is pleased to announce that Lewis Hamilton will be joining the team in 2025, on a multi-year contract.”
Leclerc’s Awareness of the Situation
One person who wasn’t surprised by Hamilton’s move was Leclerc. He mentioned, “It had been in the air for a while, but until there is an official confirmation you can’t be sure.” Leclerc knew there was interest from both sides, making an agreement very likely.
“I didn’t ask to know more, it’s not part of my role, but I must say that everyone has always been very open and sincere with me,” Leclerc stated. So open that the Monégasque driver was aware of the situation progressing even before the official confirmation.
Communication with Ferrari Team Principal
Leclerc shared that Fred Vasseur, Ferrari’s team principal, kept him informed. “Fred told me, but I repeat, day after day I had the perception that things were going in that direction,” he said, adding that he did not recall a specific phone call regarding Hamilton’s arrival.
“Honestly, I don’t remember a specific phone call in which they informed me of Lewis’ arrival, probably because I wasn’t surprised by the agreement,” Leclerc explained. This conviction grew progressively until the official announcement was made.
Carlos Sainz’s Departure
Hamilton’s signing meant the end of the Ferrari journey for Carlos Sainz, who will join Williams next season after partnering with Leclerc since 2021. Sainz’s departure marks a significant transition within the Ferrari team. Leclerc expressed his positive working relationship with Sainz, acknowledging the challenges they overcame together.
“I want to say that I am very happy with the way I worked with Carlos, he is an incredible driver and we overcame very difficult moments during our experience at Ferrari,” Leclerc said.
Looking Forward to Partnering with Hamilton
Leclerc is enthusiastic about partnering with Hamilton, highlighting his excitement about learning from the seven-time World Champion. “When you have a seven-time World Champion joining the team it is always good news, very interesting and very motivating,” he remarked.
Leclerc is particularly intrigued by the comparison with Hamilton in the same car. “It is interesting because I will be able to learn from one of the best drivers in the entire history of F1, and it is very motivating because I am intrigued by the comparison with Lewis with the same car,” Leclerc shared.
“For these two reasons I can’t wait to start this new chapter,” Leclerc concluded, emphasizing his anticipation for the forthcoming seasons with Hamilton as his teammate.
Leclerc’s Continued Respect for Sainz
Leclerc continued to express his appreciation for Sainz despite the upcoming changes. “But I still want to say that I have always had a great time with Carlos too,” he added, reiterating his positive sentiment towards his soon-to-be-former teammate.
Leclerc attributes part of the team’s improvements to the collaborative efforts with Sainz, showcasing his respect for the contributions made by the Spanish driver.
Ferrari’s Approach and Future Prospects
Leclerc appreciated the open and sincere communication from Ferrari throughout the contract negotiations and Hamilton’s signing. The driver’s confidence in Ferrari’s approach has been strengthened by their transparency.
The future holds significant promise for Ferrari with both Leclerc and Hamilton aiming for the Drivers’ title. With comprehensive updates and a solid driver lineup, Ferrari is poised for an exciting 2025 season.
Leclerc’s insights into Ferrari’s transparent approach during the Hamilton negotiations highlight a period of significant transition for the team.
With the arrival of Hamilton, Ferrari is set to embark on a new chapter, aiming for their first Drivers’ title since 2007.
