Charles Leclerc was ‘wary’ of saying one thing about Lewis Hamilton in recent interview

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Charles Leclerc may not be facing Lewis Hamilton at the peak of his powers at Ferrari next year. Hamilton has enjoyed some highs in 2024 but struggled to find consistent form.

The seven-time world champion ended a two-and-a-half-year win drought with an emotional home victory at the British Grand Prix in July. He then made it two in three in Belgium following teammate George Russell’s disqualification.

Hamilton has scored four podiums so far this year and sits sixth in the championship, 19 points ahead of his Mercedes teammate. Russell outscored him in 2022, their first year together, before he struck back last season.

The 39-year-old has arguably been the quicker of the two in race conditions this term but Russell has had a clear advantage in qualifying. He wrapped up the head with seven races to spare in Baku and currently holds a 13-5 lead.

Hamilton ‘disappears’ in qualifying because he struggles to switch the tyres on a gripped-up track. In this instance, it’s easier to identify the problem than it is to solve it.

By contrast, Leclerc’s biggest strength is his single-lap performance. He’s taken three pole positions this season and is 12-5 up on the departing Carlos Sainz on a Saturday.

Charles Leclerc didn’t want to ‘overstep’ with Lewis Hamilton answer before Ferrari match-up

Leclerc sits third in the standings, 86 points behind leader Max Verstappen. Like Hamilton, he won on home soil this year in Monaco and followed that up by delighting the Tifosi at Monza.

Karun Chandhok says Leclerc has been quietly ‘brilliant’ this year, pointing out that he’s been in the top three since round two in Jeddah. In an interview with The Race, Leclerc was asked whether Hamilton could learn from him.

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He’s seemingly coped better with the ‘knife-edge’ ground effect cars, but he looked ‘wary’ of ‘overstepping’ in his answer. He knows Hamilton is the most successful driver in the history of F1.

“Lewis is still incredibly fast,” he said. “He is still Lewis Hamilton. So, I don’t think he needs any advice from me!”

David Coulthard predicts who will win Lewis Hamilton vs Charles Leclerc battle

Leclerc and Hamilton appear to have a good relationship, though that will naturally be tested next year as they compete. The former is chasing his first title, while the latter wants to make history with an eighth.

Hamilton has asked Leclerc about what to expect at Ferrari, though many of their conversations have revolved around mutual interests like fashion and music instead. Fred Vasseur will hope to maintain the largely harmonious dynamic of recent years.

David Coulthard expects Leclerc to outpace Hamilton on average over the course of the season. However, he suspects the British driver may come away with more race wins.

Leclerc has only taken seven victories so far in his F1 career despite starting on pole 26 times. While many would argue that this shows his might in qualifying, others would frame it as a lack of ruthlessness on race day.