Contrary to Red Bull’s ‘Second Driver’ problem, Ferrari has a ‘Lead Driver’ problem.

Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, are both equally competent to contend for poles and wins. With Lewis Hamilton coming to shake up the team dynamic in 2025, it is understood that the 7-time champion will be given preference over Leclerc. But F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali‘s opinion is a stark contrast to this.

Has Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur bitten more than he can chew? His Hamilton ploy has given Ferrari’s value a $20 bn boost but this driver pairing could prove to be a replica of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton’s intra-Mercedes rivalry from 2016. Though Leclerc has supported his current teammate to two wins in the past year, chances of him continuing to do so for another teammate lie low.

Recently, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali addressed the same issue. He believes that Lewis Hamilton would have to work for himself to win. Leclerc repeating what Valtteri Bottas did for the Briton at Mercedes is unlikely.

“Lewis will have to contend with someone like Leclerc, who will never accept wingmanship duties,” Domenicali told Italian Journalist Leo Turrini. But the Italian F1 CEO believes that Team Boss Vasseur is prepped to handle this dynamic. “I think Fred is perfectly capable of handling a situation that he helped bring about,” he stressed.


via Reuters

Domenicali’s views sound perfectly reasonable. Interestingly, Sky Sports commentating legend David ‘Crofty’ Croft has a similar opinion.

Is Charles Leclerc “miffed” with Ferrari signing Lewis Hamilton?

Charles Leclerc has been Tifosi’s golden boy ever since he joined Ferrari. His talent is nearly matched to that of Max Verstappen, but the Maranello constructor’s cars and inconsistent strategies haven’t allowed him anywhere near a championship trophy. Can Hamilton’s arrival push him to the sidelines within his team?

David Croft said in an interview with Fox Sports Australia, “Is he a bit miffed? I’m not sure, he’s still Ferrari’s man. It’s not like he’s been shoved to one side but it’s a test for Charles.” “I think the pair of them are going to be fantastic teammates,” he concluded.