David Coulthard makes Charles Leclerc vs Lewis Hamilton prediction ahead of 2025 Ferrari battle

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The 2025 Formula 1 season has the potential to be one of the closest on-track battles in recent memory.

After years of convergence under the current ruleset, McLaren, Red Bull, Ferrari and Mercedes will all fancy their chances having won races this year.

Only one of those teams will definitely have the same driver line-up in 2025 with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri tied down to long-term deals at current championship leaders McLaren.

Red Bull technically have two drivers under contract as well, although Sergio Perez is under significant pressure having underperformed again this year.

Ferrari are in dreamland as they will argue they’ve got the strongest line-up on the grid in Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.

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

Mercedes have handed teenager Kimi Antonelli a promotion in Hamilton’s place and he’ll join George Russell as he enters the final year of his contract.

David Coulthard has been looking forward to next season on the Formula For Success Podcast and discussed Ferrari’s future line-up.

There won’t be a number one driver within the Ferrari hierarchy with Leclerc’s longevity with the team and Hamilton’s seven world championships both giving them claim to that tag.

However, Coulthard has predicted who he thinks will come out on top of what could be one of the most fiercely contested intra-team battles F1 has seen for some time.

David Coulthard makes his Charles Leclerc vs Lewis Hamilton prediction

Analysing how next year could play out, Coulthard said: “But I see it in a TV soundbite thing like this, I think Charles will be on average quicker.

“But I think that there’s a real chance that Lewis will piece together more victories.

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

“Until Charles either is the final product of a world champion and he becomes that man that just suddenly starts doing the sort of performances year in and year out that we’ve seen from Lewis or Michael [Schumacher] or Ayrton [Senna] or whoever your favourite driver is.

“Or, he’ll be what’s considered the one that got away. Quick, brilliant to watch in qualifying, but makes too many mistakes.”

Ferrari making ‘really encouraging’ step in one area ahead of next season

Frederic Vasseur has built a very strong team around him at Ferrari but executing everything perfectly now has to be the focus.

Ferrari have been praised for making encouraging progress in one area where they were ‘dreadful’ last season and that will give Hamilton hope ahead of his winter move.

An update package installed at the Spanish Grand Prix saw the team take several steps back but almost everyone – except McLaren and Haas – have struggled when adding new parts to their cars.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Scuderia Ferrari from team principal to factory

Hamilton is taking steps to prepare for his move to Ferrari which highlights that even at 39 years old, he knows the importance of fully committing himself to the sport.

It won’t be easy with so many talented drivers racing at the front of the pack in extremely similar cars.

But Hamilton and Leclerc will be fully aware that whoever comes out on top in 2025 has a very good chance of adding a world championship to their CV.