Charles Leclerc was expected to face his toughest test yet at Ferrari following Lewis Hamilton’s move from Mercedes, but the season played out with little drama.
The Monegasque driver quickly took hold of the team, consistently outperforming his seven-time world champion teammate throughout 2025.
Leclerc finished with a 19-5 advantage in Saturday head-to-heads, added seven podiums and a pole position. But despite these impressive achievements in a difficult car, most of the attention was on his teammate’s struggles.
Hamilton went without a podium for the first time in a calendar year and looked constantly dejected after race weekends, even saying in Budapest that he should be replaced.
Leclerc had to explain why Hamilton was struggling several times, something that George Russell had to do in his final years at Mercedes. The Brit has not fully got to grips with his new surroundings at Ferrari, being heavily critical of their operations throughout the season.
The Briton hasn’t fully settled into life at Maranello and has been openly critical of how things are run there this season.
Charles Leclerc’s blunt response when asked about helping Lewis Hamilton
“I don’t think it is my role as a teammate,” he said. “If I could do anything that could help him feel more comfortable – or if we’re talking about certain things that can be improved within the team – I’ll try and take part in it because it’s always interesting for me as well.
“So yes, I am up for those kind of talks but beyond that I have my own job to focus on and obviously you’re always trying to beat your teammate.”
This answer highlights how different 2025 feels for Leclerc compared to previous years when there were still questions about whether he was truly among F1’s best drivers. With four wins under his belt this season alone, those doubts seem long gone.
Charles Leclerc is showing ‘professional coldness’ as he rejects being Lewis Hamilton’s ‘mentor’ at Ferrari
Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari brought a different kind of challenge for Leclerc, adding internal pressure given the Briton’s status in the sport. The Monegasque driver held his ground, but Hamilton’s presence has still shifted the dynamics within the team.
Leclerc has taken a more distant approach, reportedly showing “absolute professional coldness” according to Grada3. He’s pushed back against any suggestion that he should help Hamilton settle in and doesn’t see it as his role.
Leclerc is still chasing a world title with Ferrari, but frustration is growing after several seasons of setbacks. While Hamilton may not have found his footing yet, Leclerc isn’t interested in playing any part in helping him get there.
Ferrari Running Out of Time to Prove They Deserve Charles Leclerc’s Long-Term Commitment
There was plenty of talk in 2025 about Leclerc possibly leaving Ferrari as soon as 2027. Even though he’s under contract until 2029, years without real progress have worn down the Monegasque driver.
According to Grada3, Leclerc plans to give Ferrari “one more chance” in 2026. If the new regulations don’t lead to clear improvement, he’ll start looking elsewhere and there will be no shortage of interest.
Aston Martin reportedly views him as a potential leader for the future, while Mercedes are also believed to be watching his situation closely. If Leclerc signals he’s ready to move on from Maranello, either team could make a strong push.
Ferrari are understandably anxious about losing their star driver. Fred Vasseur is keen for Leclerc to sign a new deal and fully commit, but unless they show real competitiveness soon, that seems unlikely.
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