Will Charles Leclerc be sidelined by Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari arrival?

Charles Leclerc might be forced to play second fiddle to Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari next season if he fails to match the 39-year-old.

Will Charles Leclerc be sidelined by Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari arrival?

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton (Via IMAGO)

Lewis Hamilton is statistically the most successful driver in the history of Formula 1. In 2025, Hamilton will join the most successful team in F1 history, Scuderia Ferrari, to partner Charles Leclerc. However, Leclerc might risk playing second fiddle to the Briton if he doesn’t solidify himself at the start of next season.

Charles Leclerc has raced for Ferrari since 2019 and even received the longest contract in the team’s history. However, things have changed since then. The Monegasque driver’s failed title bid against Max Verstappen in 2022 might’ve raised concerns within Maranello. Moreover, it is clear that Lewis Hamilton will want to build the team around him next season.

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Nevertheless, so far Leclerc seems confident to take up the challenge of partnering Lewis Hamilton. The 26-year-old even has an advantage as the British driver is coming to his team and not the other way around. Yet, there is a chance that Charles Leclerc could see himself get sidelined by the seven-time world champion.

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Leclerc was given a massive Ferrari extension by then-team boss Mattia Binotto. It was clear that Binotto was Charles Leclerc’s biggest supporter within Maranello. However, the Italian is no longer in-charge at the Scuderia with Fred Vasseur taking the reigns last season.

Fred Vasseur and Lewis Hamilton
Fred Vasseur and Lewis Hamilton (via IMAGO)

Vasseur was Leclerc’s team boss during his debut F1 season at Alfa Romeo. However, Fred Vasseur played a key role in bringing Lewis Hamilton to the Scuderia. The Frenchman knows Hamilton from the latter’s days in junior categories. This could potentially see a shift within the team towards the 39-year-old from next season.

Undoubtedly, the biggest factor for Leclerc potentially getting sidelined would be his performance. If the Monegasque driver fails to compete against Hamilton from the get-go, he would be forced to play second fiddle to the 39-year-old. However, the opposite might be true if he truly outperforms Hamilton from the 2025 season opener.

Certainly, Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari arrival is an opportunity for Leclerc to prove himself as a driver capable of defeating an F1 world champion. The Monegasque driver would be looking to silence his critics and deliver solid results next season.

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