Leclerc was aware of Ferrari’s contract with Hamilton in advance

The teams and drivers are obviously looking forward to the coming season more than the most passionate fans, and their anticipation is of a different kind because they are in the situation. Charles Leclerc, for example, is absolutely eager to get behind the wheel of the new Ferrari SF-24, which the Scuderia will present very soon, and apparently today he will get such an opportunity – at least he talked about it at the presentation of his new helmet.

In Maranello they intrigued the audience beforehand by referring to the color scheme in which the SF-24 was decorated – yellow was added to it, as was the case with the 499P hypercar, in which Ferrari AF Corse drivers won the 24 Hours of Corse. Le Mans last year… In Italy they are already trying to see this as a good omen, hoping that Leclerc and Carlos Sainz can fight for victories on the Formula 1 circuits this year.

However, as Gazzetta dello Sport writes, everyone now has a somewhat strange feeling that the 2024 season will fly by very quickly – this is due to Lewis Hamilton’s upcoming transfer to Ferrari. This news recently caused a sensation in the motorsport world, further fueling interest in Ferrari.

One of the questions that the press will certainly ask Leclerc today will be exactly about this: how does he imagine working with a seven-time world champion who has never been a ‘handy’ partner? It appears that Charles’ leadership of the team is under threat, despite his contract with Ferrari running until 2029.

But Leclerc seems to take this prospect quite calmly: according to Gazzetta, he was one of the few who knew in advance that Hamilton would be his partner from next season. John Elkann, Ferrari’s president, and team boss Frederic Vasseur informed him of this before new long-term agreements were signed with Charles.

Speaking to those close to him, Leclerc said that a teammate like Lewis would become a source of extra motivation for him. Charles reportedly recalled a brilliant duel with him at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza in 2019 – and Leclerc won then.

In addition, the Monaco driver believes that the arrival of Hamilton will contribute to the progress of the team, which will be able to modernize the car faster and more efficiently, as Lewis will share his vast experience gained during his years racing for Mercedes. . Including the team, it will probably be replenished with new great specialists who will move to the Scuderia from other teams precisely because of the Briton.

Leclerc’s financial interests are also taken into account; the long-term contract with Ferrari includes an annual increase in his fees, but if for some reason something goes wrong, Charles can part ways with the Italian team at the end of 2026 – this possibility is also provided for. And there will be no doubt that in a few years there will be interest in Charles.