Legendary Ferrari figure is certain: 'You can't have a better lineup' than Leclerc and Hamilton

15:49, 29 Apr

Updated: 15:51, 29 Apr

byToby Nixon

Long-time Ferrari ambassador Marc Gene believes that the Italian team have the best lineup on the Formula 1 grid in both the sporting and political sense. The Spaniard, who was Ferrari's former test driver and is now their brand ambassador, had nothing but praise for the 2025 driver duo.

“I don’t think you can have a better line-up,” Gene began on Formula 1's official Beyond the Grid podcast.

The 51-year-old drove for Minardi in Formula 1 and made a handful of appearances for Williams when stepping in as a reserve driver. He then signed for Ferrari as a test and reserve driver and has acted as a brand ambassador for many years.

On the podcast, Gene spoke about Charles Leclerc's impact. The Monegasque secured his first podium of 2025 in Saudi Arabia last time out, holding off a charging Lando Norris.

“Charles is at a very good point in his career – he’s matured so much,” Gene explained. "Therefore, now [Leclerc] having Lewis as a teammate, they work very well,” he said.

In Gene's opinion, one of the benefits of the pairing is the lack of inter-team politics between the two. Although the season hasn't started brilliantly for Ferrari, they still have a great pairing who'll continue working hard moving forward.

“They are not political. I can really tell that they work very well [together], and they are pushing each other.”

Ferrari's 'love affair' with Hamilton cost Sainz his seat

Gene's fellow Spaniard Sainz was replaced by Hamilton after the conclusion of the 2024 season. Gene admits that Hamilton's arrival was bittersweet, but one which the team was hugely excited for.

“Of course, I was sorry for Carlos, because I’m Spanish and I have a very good relationship with him, But when you have the opportunity to have Lewis in the team, and it was a love affair, a mutual love affair, you understand the decision that Ferrari took.”