Although Charles Leclerc is delighted that Lewis Hamilton has joined the team, he does not want to focus too much on the British driver’s success.
Charles Leclerc will team up with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton after the 2024 season when the Briton joins Ferrari in place of Carlos Sainz, who will surprisingly leave for Williams after months of uncertainty.
The Monegasque has experience of working with another champion in the past, having previously been Sebastian Vettel’s teammate during the latter part of the four-time champion’s career at Ferrari.
Speaking to the Gentleman’s Journal about Hamilton’s arrival, Leclerc said: “It will be amazing to have Lewis in the team and of course to have such an amazing champion in the same car as me.”
“First of all, this is a great opportunity to learn from one of the best in history, and I think it’s also a great opportunity to show what I can do, so I’m looking forward to it.”
“Growing up, it was hard for me to follow Formula 1 because I was at the karting tracks every weekend, so I watched some of his races. He was definitely one of my role models.”
“I remember my first year in Formula 1, I was so impressed and intimidated by all these great drivers, Lewis was probably the best, so it was crazy to be able to fight with him.”
Despite the respect, Charles Leclerc warns that times have changed and he will not give Hamilton special treatment when he joins the Italian team from Mercedes.
“But no, I won’t be tolerant – when I put the helmet on, all that doesn’t matter anymore. You change, you don’t think about who is who and you move on.”
“Now I race Lewis, but I have to forget about the names in the paddock and focus on my own performance when I’m on the track,” added Charles Leclerc.
