Charles Leclerc shares what ‘magic’ Lewis Hamilton has now brought to Ferrari from Mercedes

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Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton would have been expecting far more from the 2025 Formula 1 season.

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix proved to be another low ebb for Ferrari as they dropped out of second place in the constructors’ championship.

It was impressive that Ferrari had been the best of the rest after 16 races despite failing to win a Grand Prix this year.

Charles Leclerc has five podium finishes to his name, while Lewis Hamilton continues to wait for his first top-three finish on a Sunday.

Team principal Fred Vasseur played a key role in convincing Hamilton to leave Mercedes for Ferrari last year.

Hamilton dreamt of racing for Ferrari at some point during his F1 career, but this season hasn’t been the move he envisioned.

Although the seven-time world champion is 44 points behind Leclerc this season, that doesn’t mean he hasn’t played an important role behind the scenes at Ferrari after winning so many titles with Toto Wolff’s team before the ground effect era.

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

Charles Leclerc not ‘surprised’ by Lewis Hamilton’s talent after joining Ferrari from Mercedes

Leclerc took part in an interview with RTBF during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix weekend, and when asked about Hamilton’s arrival, he explained: “I’ve learned a lot from him since he arrived.

“He worked for many years with a different team, Mercedes. They won a lot together, so we tried to take the things they did best there.

“Surprised by his talent? No, I was aware of his speed, of course. I expected the magic he has.”

Leclerc was then asked about whether sponsorship and media duties are something he discusses in his contract negotiations, and continued: “It’s something that’s discussed in the contract, but negotiation is a matter of common sense.

“We don’t do it because we want to, but because it happens to such an extent that it can affect performance, as we are so busy that we are often tired when we get back in the car.

“The most important thing is for the driver to be in the best possible shape when he gets on the track.”

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

Charles Leclerc shares his ‘goal’ at Ferrari amid winless 2025 Formula 1 season

Leclerc was then asked about what it’s like to be a Ferrari driver, and how that’s impacted his racing career and life away from the track.

He said: “I live very much in the present moment, I don’t often look back, although I’m very happy to be at Ferrari.

“My goal is focused on the future and trying to become a world champion.

“My private life isn’t very private anymore, and I appreciate having a simple life and keeping the lifestyle I had before. Certain environments allow me to be my true self.

“It’s exceptional [to drive for Ferrari at Monza]. Every time I go back there, it’s like the first time.

“There’s a special emotion, it’s the weekend of the year as a Ferrari driver. But the tifosi deserve better results, and it’s our duty to bring Ferrari back to the top. Fortunately, they are always behind us.”

Before the season started, Hamilton admitted joining Ferrari was a ‘big leap’ from his time at Mercedes, where he spent a dozen seasons winning titles.

He’s needed plenty of time to adapt to his new surroundings, but only one other driver who switched teams over the summer break, Nico Hulkenberg, is currently in the top 10 in the championship.

Carlos Sainz finally earned his first Williams podium in Baku after a very difficult start to 2025.

Hamilton will be hoping that he can end his long wait for a visit to the podium very shortly.