Leclerc happier with Hamilton's input than with Sainz's: 'I did not expect that'

15:19, 19 Apr

byNorberto Mujica

Amidst Lewis Hamilton inconsistency in the SF-25, Charles Leclerc has stated 'extreme set-up' is new for him as well, but has welcomed the Briton's input since they both demand the same things from the car, unlike former teammate Carlos Sainz.

Ahead of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the question was asked: Hamilton's migration to Leclerc's driving style had been the case because the Monegasque was the senior Ferrari driver?

"I don't know. I mean, this is maybe a question more to Lewis than for me, but it's quite new for me also this direction," answered Leclerc to media present at the track in Jeddah, including GPblog.

"It's quite extreme. So, I didn't really set up the car that way in the past. So, yeah, I think this is new for both of us. Then, of course, I know the car better than Lewis and the team also, but yeah, it's quite an extreme direction, so it's something new as well for me."

Leclerc happier with Hamilton's input into Ferrari's F1 car

Adapting to a way a car needs to be driven is of paramount importance for any and all F1 drivers. According to Leclerc, the magic is in the setup.

"First of all I see lots of things around that most of the time, that driving style is super important. I feel like you have more than enough freedom in the car setup to adapt a car to someone's driving style. So that doesn't change a lot."

It comes as no surprise that Leclerc and Hamilton's driving styles are similar with both drivers being outspoken regarding an oversteery preference. The same cannot be said about the Monegasque's former teammate, Carlos Sainz, who preferred a car with understeer. Whilst he does not wish to compare Hamilton to Sainz, it's ultimately inevitable.

"As I said, it's always a bit more helpful to be pushing in the same direction, because we need the same thing from a car. And as I said, with Lewis, I was very surprised how similar we would approach the corners in corner entry."

"I don't want to do any particular compare with other drivers, but yeah, when Lewis came, I did not expect that and we are both quite aggressive in corner entry and that means that we require the same things out of the car for sure."