F1 News: Charles Leclerc “Disappointed and Shocked by Ferrari’s Decision”

In 2025, Lewis Hamilton will officially join Scuderia Ferrari to partner Charles Leclerc. This obviously whipped several fans into a frenzy, and many were very happy for the British driver. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has admitted that he bears Hamilton no ill will, but there are some unhappy parties. Aside from a disappointed Carlos Sainz Jr, teammate Charles Leclerc is not too thrilled at the impending link-up.

The #16 driver has pretty much established himself as the star driver and Ferrari’s future. So one really cannot blame him for being intimidated by the arrival of Hamilton. Since Hamilton has his own star appeal, it could threaten Leclerc’s position as the numero uno at Ferrari. Additionally, the presence of Sainz, a person he got along well with, could also adversely affect the team’s dynamic.

Why is Charles Leclerc apprehensive about partnering with Hamilton?

According to Il Corriere dello Sport’s Fulvio Solms, “If Leclerc stays ahead of him he will be a hero. If he keeps up with him, his reputation as the predestined will tarnish. The Monegasque and his clan were disappointed and shocked by Ferrari’s decision, which at the time of the extension a week ago did not imagine what was about to happen.”

READ MORE: Charles Leclerc Revealed Lewis Hamilton “Can See Exactly Where Max [Verstappen’s] Car Is Better”, but He Still Doubts His Future Teammate

On the face of it, this decision came right out of the blue for Leclerc. This was so sudden for the Ferrari star, and he was just getting used to having Carlos Sainz Jr as his teammate. Admittedly, Leclerc is no stranger to having high-profile teammates, like Sebastian Vettel. When he and the 4-time F1 champion were teammates, Charles Leclerc was able to best him on a number of occasions.

However, Lewis Hamilton is a driver who is at a different level. This will be a Hamilton who is desperate to snatch a record-breaking eighth F1 championship. In other words, the British driver is highly motivated, and a motivated Hamilton is a dangerous Hamilton. Charles Leclerc had better be sure to try and stamp his authority as the top dog at Ferrari, or Hamilton would steamroll over him.

It is now or never for Lewis Hamilton

Since 2022, it had been clear that Mercedes was not going to be the team to help Hamilton achieve his goal of an eighth title. All this is despite the faith that the 7-time champion had in the project, and by 2023 his patience wore thin. Now 2024 will be the team’s last chance to deliver that eighth title before the Briton gives Ferrari that chance.

One question will be, will it get to a stage where Scuderia Ferrari employs a number 1 – number 2 driver system? After all, neither Charles Leclerc nor Lewis Hamilton will want to be the driver to play second fiddle. Ferrari has insisted that they will give their drivers equal status, but when 2025 finally arrives, how long will that last? The last set of superstar F1 teammates did not last very long before they were at each other’s throats. It happened between Hamilton and Fernando Alonso, and Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, but will it be three for three?

WATCH THIS STORY: Who is Lewis Hamilton’s World Famous Media Talent Manager – Penni Thow?