Lewis Hamilton will officially join Scuderia Ferrari in 2025, partnering Charles Leclerc. This clearly sent some supporters into a frenzy, and many were overjoyed for the British driver. Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team leader, has confirmed that he has no ill will against Hamilton, but there are some dissatisfied parties. Aside from a disgruntled Carlos Sainz Jr, teammate Charles Leclerc is not excited about the upcoming collaboration.
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.
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.”