Charles Leclerc shares the ‘very special’ difference between working with Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton

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Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc faces arguably the toughest challenge of his Formula 1 career next season.

Charles Leclerc had to prove himself at Sauber in 2018 after winning the F2 title and many rookies struggle to make that step up.

However, within a few races, the potential that Ferrari had seen throughout his junior career was apparent and a year later he was driving alongside Sebastian Vettel for F1’s most iconic manufacturer.

Leclerc saw off the challenge of Vettel before being paired with Carlos Sainz and the pair have been very closely matched.

When the opportunity arose for Ferrari to sign Lewis Hamilton, Leclerc was retained to stay on as his teammate, leaving Sainz in the frustrating position of having to find a new team for 2025, eventually signing a deal with Williams.

The Monegasque has faced a multiple-world champion before, but Hamilton arrives in Maranello with an unmatched reputation in the sport.

The 39-year-old has more pole positions and victories than any other driver, but Leclerc will be hoping to prove that in equal machinery he has what it takes to defeat the Brit.

Leclerc was speaking on Pirelli’s YouTube channel and asked about the prospect of being Hamilton’s teammate.

He explained why he’s so excited about the opportunity and the difference he expects when it comes to his relationship with Hamilton compared to Sainz.

Charles Leclerc previews becoming Lewis Hamilton’s teammate at Ferrari

Leclerc was asked how different life would be at Ferrari alongside Hamilton and he said: “Well, I don’t know yet!

“He hasn’t joined the team yet, but for sure it’s going to be very special.

“I’ve always had a very special relationship with Carlos and we’ve worked extremely well together.

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

“But, looking forward Lewis is obviously a seven-times world champion, the most successful driver in Formula 1 ever.

“It’s going to be a big challenge for me but I’m really looking forward to it.

“On one side, I’ll be able to learn from Lewis in the same car as him which is great, but as well as trying to prove what I’m capable of in the same car as Lewis and this is a big motivation for me.”

Lewis Hamilton has to fix qualifying issues to compete with Charles Leclerc

Leclerc has previously been described as the best qualifier in Formula 1 and his record of 26 pole positions speaks for itself.

Even when he’s not had the fastest car on the grid, his ability to hook up one lap has always been tremendous.

Hamilton, on the other hand, has really struggled on Saturdays this season.

READ MORE: Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton’s life outside F1 from net worth to family

In his head-to-head battle with teammate George Russell, Hamilton has been unqualified 16 times this season.

Speaking earlier in the season, Hamilton said: “I’m just not very good at qualifying… I clearly have [got bad]. I can’t put a lap together at the moment and it’s unbelievably frustrating.

“I’m furious. Furious. I could have been pole [at the Italian Grand Prix], I could have been… at least on the front row, and I just didn’t do the job in the end.”

If Hamilton doesn’t improve this aspect of his performance, he’ll always on the back foot against Leclerc.

That’s something that will give the Monegasque plenty of encouragement before he faces his most daunting challenge in Formula 1.