Hamilton reveals Leclerc’s 'most surprising' key trait

Lewis Hamilton has revealed what has surprised him the most about Charles Leclerc since joining forces with the Monegasque at Ferrari.

Speaking ahead of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix – the 2025 Formula 1 season opener – the seven-time world champion offered a glimpse into his early impressions of his new teammate, marking the start of one of the most anticipated driver pairings in recent memory.

Hamilton’s blockbuster switch from Mercedes to Ferrari has thrust the Scuderia into the spotlight, and his comments shed light on the dynamic developing between the two stars.

Leclerc is on the eve of his seventh year with the Scuderia after stints alongside Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz.

With the new SF-25 showing promise in pre-season testing, the duo’s collaboration is poised to be a defining storyline of the season.

During Thursday’s presser in Melbourne, Hamilton was asked to reflect on Leclerc, revealing a quality that has stood out since they initiated their working relationship.

A Shared Drive for Excellence

After a lighthearted quip – “beside his great hair?” – Hamilton turned serious, pinpointing Leclerc’s dedication as the standout trait that has surprised him.

“What surprised me most? Well, I would say work ethic. It's been really good,” Hamilton said. “I didn't know [that before], you don't know what happens behind closed doors.

“Naturally, I think every driver works really hard, but everyone has a different method and how they achieve that ultimate performance. And it's been really interesting to see, his is not too dissimilar to mine. And you just see a hardworking kid, just getting on with it.”

Hamilton went on to praise Leclerc’s deep connection to Ferrari, a team where the 27-year-old has become a cornerstone since joining in 2019.

“He's obviously been in the team a long time,” he added. “It's his second team – obviously the team he was with before was, was relatively short there, and then he's had this amazing time at Ferrari.

“And so, he is very much Mr Ferrari and it's been really cool to work alongside him and I'm really looking forward to working alongside him for the year.”

The similarity in their approaches, Hamilton suggested, has made their early partnership seamless, setting the stage for a potentially potent collaboration as Ferrari aims to reclaim its place at the top of the grid.

Leclerc on Ferrari’s Bigger Picture

For Leclerc, Hamilton’s arrival has brought unprecedented attention to Maranello. The announcement of the Briton’s move last year sent Ferrari’s share price soaring by over 10%, and his status as a “legend of the sport” has intensified the focus on the team.

Yet, Leclerc remains unfazed by the spotlight shifting toward his teammate, emphasizing that Ferrari’s identity transcends any individual driver.

Addressing speculation about a team hierarchy, he was unequivocal in his stance.

“There's no place for one particular driver in Ferrari. I mean, Ferrari is bigger than any drivers and I think that's always been the case in Ferrari,” commented the eight-time Grand Prix winner.

“That's what makes Ferrari so special. There's support for the team and not for one specific driver. So I don't think that's the case.

• Read also: Vettel unpacks ‘biggest shift’ facing Hamilton at Ferrari

“Obviously, Lewis is coming in the team as a legend of the sport. And so there's a lot more attention on him than there is for me at the moment. But that's... I'm completely fine with it.

“I completely understand that, and, um, it’s normal that it’s that way, so it’s fine for me, but I don’t think there’s a competition on who needs to be the driver for Ferrari, and there won’t ever be that.”

Leclerc’s comments reflect a maturity and team-first mentality, dismissing any notion of rivalry over who holds the reins at Ferrari. Instead, he welcomes Hamilton’s presence as a natural part of the team’s evolution.

As the start of the 2025 F1 season looms, the focus isn’t just on Ferrari’s pace but on how this new dynamic unfolds.

Hamilton’s surprise at Leclerc’s diligence and Leclerc’s insistence on Ferrari’s collective spirit hint at a partnership that could thrive—both in the garage and on the podium.

For now, the stage is set in Melbourne for the first chapter of a storyline that promises to captivate the F1 world.

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