Charles Leclerc explains ‘extremely positive’ impact he thinks Lewis Hamilton will have at Ferrari

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There are only 10 races to go before Lewis Hamilton leaves Mercedes to join Ferrari. Excitement has gradually built since Hamilton confirmed one of the biggest driver transfers in the sport’s history back in February.

Hamilton will race alongside Charles Leclerc and replace Carlos Sainz, who’s signed for Williams. Ferrari decided not to renew Sainz’s contract when the seven-time world champion became available.

Sainz and Leclerc have been closely matched during their partnership. The Spaniard prevailed in 2021, their first year as teammates, before the latter hit back in 2022.

Just six points separated them last year, in Leclerc’s favour. And the 15-point gap this term can largely be attributed to Sainz’s enforced absence at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in March.

The two drivers have combined for seven wins thus far – four for Leclerc and three for Sainz. They’ve rarely had a car that can contend, aside from a spell at the start of 2022 and a handful of races in the last 12 months.

But Fred Vasseur and John Elkann will hope the arrival of Hamilton can end the team’s championship drought. They haven’t won the constructors’ since 2008, nor the drivers since 2007.

Charles Leclerc on the impact Lewis Hamilton will have on ‘every single’ Ferrari employee

Speaking on F1’s Beyond the Grid podcast, Leclerc looked ahead to Hamilton’s arrival at the start of 2025. He expects it to motivate the team from top to bottom.

He also thinks the Scuderia will benefit from the ‘different vision’ that the 39-year-old will bring. He’s spent his entire career with British-based teams, including the last 11 years with Mercedes.

Sebastian Vettel has warned Hamilton about the cultural change he’ll experience when he heads to Maranello. Vettel won 14 races with the Scuderia but never achieved his ultimate goal of a championship.

“I mean obviously extremely positive,” Leclerc said of Hamilton’s impact. “I think when a champion like Lewis gets to any team it brings a lot of motivation out of every single person in the team so that will be obviously the first really positive effect it will have on Ferrari.

“Obviously he will come along with all the experience that he’s had over the years with Mercedes, a different way of working, a different vision. This is always benefiting a team.”

Where Damon Hill thinks Charles Leclerc will have the edge on Lewis Hamilton

Perhaps the most exciting aspect of Hamilton’s move is his upcoming battle with Leclerc. It may be so tight that it hurts the Briton’s bid for a record eighth title.

The F1 paddock sees Leclerc as an elite driver, alongside Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso and Lando Norris. Ferrari will be the only team who can boast two members of that quintet.

Esteban Ocon believes Leclerc has more natural talent than Hamilton, but he’s often been criticised for a lack of ruthlessness. He’s taken 25 pole positions so far, but only six wins.

In his defence, that may indicate that he’s simply outperformed the car on a Saturday. Damon Hill expects Leclerc to edge Hamilton in qualifying but struggle to match his racecraft.