Pundit Questions Hamilton's Ferrari Future Amid Leclerc's Dominance

Former GP2 champion and F1 pundit Davide Valsecchi has expressed 'worry' over Ferrari's long-term strategy of building around Lewis Hamilton, citing Charles Leclerc's clear on-track superiority this season. Valsecchi believes Hamilton has been 'destroyed' by Leclerc in qualifying and races, raising concerns about the seven-time world champion's age and future performance.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's significant investment in Lewis Hamilton for 2025 and beyond signals a major strategic shift, yet his current performance against teammate Charles Leclerc is sparking debate. If Hamilton, a driver nearing 40, struggles to match a younger, established talent like Leclerc, it could complicate Ferrari's championship aspirations and put their long-term project under intense scrutiny. The perception of a team building around a potentially declining veteran could affect morale, development focus, and ultimately, their competitive edge.

The Details:

• Leclerc's Dominance: According to Valsecchi, Charles Leclerc has 'destroyed' Lewis Hamilton in both qualifying and race performances this season. Leclerc consistently outperforms Hamilton, despite the Briton being a seven-time world champion.
• Hamilton's Current Form: While Hamilton has shown a recent uptick in form, he remains behind Leclerc in the standings, qualifying results, and race finishes, highlighting a challenging first season with Ferrari.
• Valsecchi's Concern: The pundit expressed 'worry' about Ferrari's future if it is indeed centered around Hamilton, especially given his age (nearing 40) and his current struggles against Leclerc.
  • Past Comparisons: Valsecchi noted that Hamilton lost the intra-team comparison to George Russell twice in three years at Mercedes, further fueling his doubts about Hamilton's long-term prospects.
• Leclerc as Ferrari's Certainty: Valsecchi sees Leclerc as the 'only really positive thing' and the 'rock solid' element in Ferrari's current project, consistently performing at a high level.

Between the lines:

This commentary comes amidst broader discussions about driver dynamics at Ferrari. John Elkann's recent comments, which were criticized by Jacques Villeneuve, hinted at potential internal tension by seemingly placing Hamilton and Leclerc on equal footing, a move Villeneuve called 'shocking' and indicative of Ferrari's historical pattern of prioritizing the team over individual drivers. This suggests a complex environment where driver performance is not the only factor, and team politics might play a role in how dynamics are framed publicly.

What's next:

Ferrari's commitment to Hamilton, reportedly involving substantial financial investment and a medium-to-long-term agreement, suggests they are banking on his experience and legendary status to propel them forward. However, Valsecchi's strong reservations highlight the critical need for Hamilton to quickly adapt and consistently outperform Leclerc to justify this strategic direction. If current performance trends continue into the next season, particularly with Hamilton being a year older, Ferrari may face increasing pressure to reassess their long-term driver strategy and the overall direction of their project.