Leclerc must be 'smart' towards Hamilton: 'Then Ferrari will support him'
F1 News
- Kimberley Hoefnagel
Now that seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has joined Ferrari, Charles Leclerc gains an extremely fast and experienced teammate. This could well cause friction within the Scuderia at some point. Former McLaren and Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya therefore advises the Monegasque to play the political game well in order to keep Ferrari's support for the future.
Montoya argues that Leclerc will have to be very clever next season if he still wants to assert himself within the team. "If Charles plays the season smartly, plays nice with Hamilton but keeps outperforming him, then the whole of Ferrari will support Leclerc." Montoya is quoted by GrandPrix247.
According to the former Formula One driver, Leclerc will be able to benefit from the smart people he has around him in this regard. “Charles Leclerc is managed by politically smart people and I think they will keep telling him to play the long-term game. That’s very important. If Leclerc plays the long-term game and knows that Lewis Hamilton won’t be at Ferrari forever, he’ll need to have the team’s support until then,” Montoya explained.
Ferrari to be the world champion?
Leclerc has been seen as Ferrari's future world champion for years. Until now, however, the Scuderia has not been able to produce a car that would actually allow him to do so. With Hamilton, Ferrari now has a driver at its disposal who has played an important role in developing a champion's car several times in the past. A driver who has also proven that he is actually capable of winning championships. "Hamilton’s chances of winning the championship will depend on how comfortable he is and how good of a car Ferrari can produce, it would be a hell of a story if he wins it.”
This article was written in collaboration with Toby Nixon
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