Pairing With 'Absolute Master' Hamilton Is 'Going To Help' Leclerc Says Vasseur

Wednesday, 17 April 2024 at 09:00

Updated at Wednesday, 17 April 2024 at 09:11

Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc walking together through the paddock at one of the F1 circuits, with Red Bull hospitality and the FIA office in the background.

The team principal of Ferrari, Frederic Vasseur, clarified that he was convinced that his future driver duo, which consisted of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, would get along well.

The Ferrari lineup will change after the end of the 2024 season, as Carlos Sainz will be replaced by the seven-time World Champion coming from Mercedes.

Though Leclerc and Hamilton didn't have the best start to the 2024 season and have been under a bit of fire (mainly the 39-year-old) after the first four races, they should still complete one of the strongest driver lineups on the grid in 2025.

Speaking about what the experienced Briton will bring to the team, Fred Vassseur said, as quoted by f1oversteer.com:

"The arrival of Lewis Hamilton? It is important for the team. Beyond the speed, it brings serenity to the team, experience, a track record. An experience of victory which we also need at Ferrari to move forward."

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The French team principal has previously worked with both Hamilton and Leclerc during his years in GP2 (Formula 2 nowadays), and these two drivers have also been his most successful.

Going into the 2025 season, Vasseur will then have two of the most talented drivers he has ever worked with, whom he also knows exceptionally well.

While drivers' relationship with their team principal should not be a problem, the question remains how the two will get along themselves. The team principal said:

"I'm also super happy because I'm convinced that the two [Leclerc and Hamilton] will get along well."

Hamilton has worked with a number of drivers in the past. With some, he had better relationships, and with some, there were significant tensions (Fernando Alonso or Nico Rosberg).

The 26-year-old Ferrari driver, on the other hand, has been rather easygoing and has had only great relationships with all of his previous teammates, so the two should potentially work well together.

Moreover, the Mercedes driver and the Monegasque can often be spotted having friendly exchanges during drivers' parades, so it seems they already get along quite well. Moreover, Vasseur believes the collaboration can potentially be very beneficial for Leclerc:

"It's going to help Charles the driver, it's not just the performance in the car in qualifying or in the race. It's also 365 days a year and on this I think Lewis is an absolute master."