Leclerc's Surprising Praise for Hamilton Amidst Dominant Season

Despite a largely one-sided season at Ferrari where Charles Leclerc has outperformed Lewis Hamilton, the Monegasque driver has expressed significant admiration and gratitude for his teammate. Leclerc credits Hamilton with substantially improving his data analysis and tire management skills, moving him from an instinct-driven approach to a more precise, data-oriented one.

Why it matters:

Leclerc's unexpected praise for Hamilton, despite consistently outperforming him, offers a rare glimpse into the dynamics within a top F1 team. It highlights how even established drivers can learn from their peers, especially a seven-time world champion. This collaboration, though not yet yielding team success, could be a foundational step for Ferrari's future competitiveness, as Leclerc's growth directly impacts the team's potential.

The Details:

• Season Dominance: Leclerc has secured all seven of Ferrari's podiums this season, outscoring Hamilton by nearly 80 points and dominating the qualifying duel with an 18-5 record.
• Learning from Hamilton: Leclerc revealed to L'Equipe that he learned 'enormously' from Hamilton, particularly regarding his work ethic, data analysis methods, and identifying crucial data points. Before Hamilton's arrival, Leclerc was more reliant on his 'gut feeling'.
• Tire Management: Hamilton's meticulous approach to tire management, specifically his ability to precisely identify the optimal temperature window for tires, has deeply impressed Leclerc. This has made Leclerc 'much more attentive to numbers and data' today.
• Motivation, not Shadow: Despite regularly outperforming Hamilton on track, Leclerc views Hamilton's presence as a 'huge motivation' and an opportunity for comparison, stating he 'never felt in his shadow'.
• Hamilton's Approach: Speculation suggests Hamilton might be doing less simulator work than his teammate, a potentially 'old-school mentality' that might be a handicap in modern F1. Hamilton himself is reportedly hoping for a fresh start with the new regulations in 2026.

What's Next:

While Leclerc's current on-track dominance over Hamilton is clear, the mutual respect between the two drivers remains unwavering. As Ferrari looks to challenge for championships, the synergy and knowledge transfer between these two top-tier talents could be crucial. Hamilton's experience, combined with Leclerc's evolving precision, may yet prove to be a powerful combination for the Scuderia in the coming seasons, especially with the impending rule changes in 2026.