Charles Leclerc has issued a stern warning to Lewis Hamilton, stating that there will be “no mercy” at Ferrari when the seven-time world champion joins the team next season.
Hamilton, who has been with Mercedes since 2013 and secured six of his world titles with them, has faced challenges since the 2022 regulation changes. The Brackley-based team has struggled to maintain top-tier performance, leaving Hamilton winless for 56 races until his recent victory at Silverstone.
Mercedes’ ongoing difficulties have led Hamilton to make the bold move to Ferrari, where he will start competing from the 2025 season.
Leclerc, who has been deeply connected with Ferrari since his junior career, will be Hamilton’s teammate and main rival next season. The Monegasque driver achieved a memorable victory for Ferrari at Monza in 2019 and recently celebrated his first home win in Monte Carlo.
The pairing of Leclerc and Hamilton is highly anticipated, with fans and pundits divided on who will come out on top.
In a recent interview with Gentleman’s Journal, Leclerc shared his thoughts on Hamilton’s upcoming arrival at Ferrari, calling it an “incredible” opportunity. He expressed enthusiasm about learning from someone he considers the “best ever.”
However, when asked if he would show any mercy to his new teammate, who is facing his first major challenge in over a decade, Leclerc’s response was unequivocally firm.
“No, of course not,” he said.
“No, no, no – when I’m putting the helmet on, then there’s none of this any more. You change, you don’t think about who is who and you just go for it.
“Now I’m racing Lewis, so I’ve got to forget a little bit the names that are inside the paddock, and just focus on my own performance whenever I’m on track.”