Charles Leclerc has lifted the curtain on life alongside Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari – and the Monegasque believes he has now uncovered the main ingredient behind the seven-time world champion’s astonishing success in Formula 1.
For Leclerc, Hamilton’s blockbuster switch from Mercedes to Ferrari was never just another headline-grabbing transfer.
It was a front-row seat to observe one of the greatest drivers in motorsport history from inside the same garage.
And after many months of watching Hamilton operate up close, Leclerc thinks the answer to the Briton’s legendary success is not hidden in one magical qualifying lap or some superhuman racecraft trick.
It is the relentless precision of his entire approach.
Leclerc studies Hamilton ‘every single thing’
Hamilton arrived at Ferrari carrying enormous expectations, with the Scuderia still desperately chasing its first title triumph since 2008.
While the Briton continues his pursuit of a record-breaking eighth world championship, Leclerc has quietly been conducting his own deep analysis behind the scenes.
The Ferrari star admitted he has scrutinised virtually every aspect of Hamilton’s preparation since day one.
“Since the day Lewis arrived in the team, for me, it was a huge opportunity to learn from him,” said Leclerc, speaking to Sky F1.
“I analysed every single thing he does as a preparation, all the way to when he jumps into the car.
“And then I would say the driving, it’s more specific from track to track. We’ve got our own strengths and sometimes I will look at him on a particular corner and I will analyse that, but that’s more specific track to track.
“But I think the approach is what made him have all the success that he’s had in the past.”
It is a revealing insight from Leclerc, who has not exactly been overshadowed by his superstar teammate. In fact, the Ferrari star has more than held his own since Hamilton’s arrival, outscoring his teammate comfortably across 2025 and beginning the 2026 season with stronger results once again.
Yet despite those numbers, Leclerc’s admiration for Hamilton’s professionalism and discipline is unmistakable.
Ferrari dream still burns bright
Leclerc’s obsession with Ferrari success has never faded, even as another world champion now occupies the opposite side of the garage.
The 2026 campaign has already delivered flashes of promise, with Leclerc currently sitting third in the drivers’ standings, 41 points behind leader Kimi Antonelli. But for the 27-year-old, statistics and podiums alone are not enough.
The ultimate mission remains unchanged: ending Ferrari’s agonising title drought and becoming world champion in red.
“Ferrari is very special for me, not only today, but it’s always been the case my whole life,” Leclerc confirmed.
“It’s always been about the red car, even before I knew the Ferrari’s name. I’m always as excited and as grateful as I was the first day I was announced as being a Ferrari driver.
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“Driving for Ferrari is very special, but I would love to be winning a world championship with Ferrari.
That’s what I’ve been working on since the first day I arrived here, and I really hope this will happen one day.”
For now, Ferrari’s dream lineup remains one of Formula 1’s most fascinating storylines: the sport’s most successful driver chasing history, while the team’s long-time golden boy absorbs every lesson possible in his own hunt for glory.
And if Leclerc is right, Hamilton’s greatest weapon was never just raw speed – it was the mindset behind it all.
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