Ex-F1 champion claims Ferrari kept Charles Leclerc “quiet” with new contract before signing Lewis Hamilton

1997 F1 champion Jacques Villeneuve has pointed out how Ferrari handled Charles Leclerc's position at the team before signing Lewis Hamilton.

Ex-F1 champion claims Ferrari kept Charles Leclerc “quiet” with new contract before signing Lewis Hamilton

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton (Credits: @lewishamilton/Instagram)

The first race of the 2024 season is just under a month away, and the Silly Season has already begun. Lewis Hamilton has announced his shocking move to Ferrari from 2025 onwards. However, ahead of the commencement of the season, Former driver Jacques Villeneuve has made some bold claims over Ferrari’s decision.

The seven-time world champion will be paired up with Charles Leclerc in 2025 and potentially challenge him well enough to cause some great results from the team. The two drivers are great in their respective elements and would surely push each other to their limits. Maranello needs to achieve a championship by ensuring consistent results and minimizing mistakes during races. Ferrari is capable of scoring title wins for the drivers and hence would need to facilitate the team according to Hamilton.

The media questioned the Canadian about Charles Leclerc’s feelings regarding Hamilton’s signing to join Maranello from 2025 onwards. Villeneuve asserted that Leclerc had no reason to be angry over the entire sitch as the Briton came as the most successful ever. Additionally, the Monegasque was provided with a massive multi-year contract to ‘keep quiet’ over Hamilton’s arrival. It was recently reported that Leclerc was shocked with Ferrari’s deal with the seven-time world champion.

He [Hamilton] comes the most successful ever, why should he be? And before getting him, they gave him a very long contract to keep him quiet. A good move, now even clearer.
Villeneuve told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

The Ferrari garage could split into two parties with Lewis Hamilton’s arrival

Additionally, Villeneuve claimed that Hamilton’s arrival in the team would create two parties. The reason for this was that both the drivers were great in their respective domains and scored great results. However, the partition would be fun and provide excitement for the driver and fans alike.

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton via Irish Mirror
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton via Irish Mirror

Witnessing Hamilton achieve a great season with Maranello would be even better, as the Italian constructor would rediscover the Lewis of ‘great days,’ all thanks to them. Additionally, the seven-time world champion has nothing to lose as he hasn’t won a race in the past two seasons. Finishing with Ferrari would be the best thing in the world for the Briton, according to Villeneuve.

Two parties will be created at Maranello, as has already happened. But it will also be fun. If we rediscover the Lewis of the great days it will be formidable, also because he has nothing to lose. And finishing in style with Ferrari is the best thing in the world.

Lewis Hamilton still has a final year at Mercedes before switching teams. Hence, the Briton would push himself to score best results in his ultimate year and prepare himself to work alongside Charles Leclerc. Amidst this news, Carlos Sainz will be ousted from the team in the next year and is currently contract-less from 2025 onwards.

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