Ex-Red Bull driver claims Charles Leclerc will be Lewis Hamilton’s ‘biggest challenge ever’ in F1

Lewis Hamilton, the former seven-time world champion, will be seen repping the red of Ferrari from 2025 onwards. A lot has been already said about this humongous move and while Hamilton is very optimistic about it, former Red Bull driver, David Coulthard, has admitted that it will be a mighty task for the Brit to go against Charles Leclerc.

The Monagasque driver has been with Ferrari for several years and is seen by the team as one of their most prized possession. Keeping in view how well Charles Leclerc has done so far, David Coulthard feels Lewis Hamilton will face difficulties next year.

While shedding light on the same via the Formula for Success podcast, Coulthard said, as reported by Motorsport:

I think he will find his biggest challenge ever in Charles Leclerc. Charles is a young, very fast driver. Yes, he has not yet become a world champion and does not have the experience that Lewis has, but I think he is a champion in becoming.

The 52-year-old has left no stone unturned in letting people know that Hamilton could face a serious run for his money at Ferrari when he partners up with Charles Leclerc. Moreover, has admitted that Leclerc has the caliber to become a future world champion.

Lewis Hamilton has taken the place of Carlos Sainz at Ferrari

While David Coulthard has played down the prospect of Lewis Hamilton doing well against Charles Leclerc in 2025, the former has taken the place of Spanish driver, Carlos Sainz. The Spaniard will be shown the exit door at the end of this year to make room for Hamilton.

While the former seven-time world champion fans are elated with the move, it has come as a huge shock to several of the F1 pundits. Since joining Ferrari Sainz has done really well and last year, he was the only non-Red Bull driver to win a race.

It’s been a crazy few days which have been filled with a whole range of emotions.

But as you all now know, after an incredible 11 years at Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, the time has come for me to start a new chapter in my life and I will be joining Scuderia Ferrari in 2025.

I… pic.twitter.com/ysie0XxAFe

— Lewis Hamilton (@LewisHamilton) February 3, 2024

However, despite this, Lewis Hamilton was able to finish the 2023 F1 season ahead of Carlos Sainz in the Driver’s Championship. The former managed 234 points whereas, the latter was only able to conjure up 206 points. The upcoming 2024 F1 season will produce fireworks when the duo would go wheel to wheel.

In case you missed it:

• Christian Horner reportedly questioned for hours at an undisclosed location as part of inappropriate behavior investigation
• Lewis Hamilton declared his desire to end his F1 career with Mercedes days before signing $430 million Ferrari deal

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