Hamilton will replace Carlos Sainz at the Prancing Horse to race alongside Leclerc at the start of the 2025 F1 season.
Ferrari reportedly informed Leclerc about Hamilton’s arrival after he had extended his contract with the constructor beyond the end of 2024. Meanwhile, there are serious concerns about the potential reputational damage that racing alongside Hamilton could cause the Monegasque.
The report adds that Leclerc’s entourage are worried that his stock will fall if he is beaten by a ‘newcomer’. However, they are aware that should Leclerc finish above Hamilton in the Drivers’ standings then it will give his stature a healthy boost.
At the time of writing though Leclerc is yet to publicly react to the news. Hamilton’s move from Mercedes to Ferrari was confirmed on Thursday with the Brit paying an emotional tribute to the Brackley-based outfit on social media.
“I feel incredibly fortunate, after achieving things with Mercedes that I could only have dreamed of as a kid, that I now have the chance to fulfil another childhood dream – driving in Ferrari red,” Hamilton wrote in a post shared on Instagram and X.
Mercedes has been a huge part of my life since I was 13 years old, so this decision has been the hardest I’ve ever had to make. I’m incredibly proud of all that we’ve achieved together and I’m very grateful for the hard work and dedication of everyone I have worked with over the years and of course Toto [Wolff, team principal], for his friendship, guidance and leadership.
“Together we have won titles, broken records and become the most successful Driver-Team partnership in F1 history. I must also share my huge appreciation to the whole of the Mercedes-Benz board and everyone at the company in Germany and around the world for supporting me over these 26 years. But the time is right to make a change and take on a new challenge.”
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