Charles Leclerc reveals what Lewis Hamilton’s ‘relationship’ with Ferrari is really like

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Lewis Hamilton’s relationship with Ferrari has been called into question during a difficult first season. The noise was louder than ever after chairman John Elkann told his drivers to ‘talk less’.

There are some who believe Elkann’s comments were directed at Hamilton. After all, Charles Leclerc has been the team’s lead driver this year, scoring all seven of their podiums.

One theory is that some Ferrari employees ‘resented’ Hamilton’s feedback documents. He effectively audited the team’s operation during his early months and came up with several recommendations.

David Croft thinks there may be tension between Hamilton and Ferrari as a result. Neither side’s expectations have been met since the most publicised driver transfer in F1 history.

Charles Leclerc denies that Lewis Hamilton isn’t fitting in at Ferrari

Leclerc was asked about Hamilton in the media pen at the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Friday. He insists that the seven-time world champion has formed ‘a really good relationship’ with his new colleagues.

Hamilton, like everyone else at Maranello, had to recalibrate when it became clear that the SF-25 wasn’t a title-contending car. But Leclerc insists that the team is united – a point he made on social media after the race in Brazil.

“I don’t think Lewis is struggling at all to find his place in the team,” said Leclerc. “I think there’s a really good relationship with Lewis and the team.

“Of course, at the beginning of the year, it’s been difficult, because we were expecting a lot and it was less good than what we wanted, but we’ve reacted well as a team and again, I think we are all united in trying to bring back Ferrari to the top.”

Last month, Hamilton said Ferrari were ‘responding’ to his advice, but the outcome will only be evident in 2026.

Charles Leclerc’s response to John Elkann shows Ferrari PR briefing worked a treat

Both Leclerc and Hamilton had their first chance to respond to Elkann on Thursday.

Ferrari’s PR team briefed their drivers to ‘put on a brave face’ before they entered the media pen, and they were both receptive.

Leclerc knew what Elkann was going to say because they’d discussed his plan on the phone beforehand. It was apparently designed to spur the team on.

Ferrari tried to stop the questions about their chairman, urging the media to ask about the upcoming race instead.