Charles Leclerc has revealed he’s looking forward to working alongside Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari next year.
Hamilton confirmed earlier this year he would be leaving Mercedes behind, having won six of his seven world titles while racing for the Silver Arrows.
Leclerc is currently the main man at Ferrari but that could all change when Hamilton arrives.
The Stevenage-born racer feels the grass is greener over at Maranello and is relishing the chance to emulate Michael Schumacher by turning out in their famous red colours.
Charles Leclerc has revealed he’s looking forward to working alongside Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari next year
PA
Leclerc could be forgiven for feeling worried about partnering up with Hamilton next year.
However, that isn’t the case with the 26-year-old looking forward to the future.
“For me it’s an incredible opportunity,” he told the BBC. “First, to learn from the most successful driver ever.
“And to prove myself as well against Lewis, who is a benchmark for everybody.”
Leclerc was also asked if Hamilton coming on board was a negative. He was emphatic in his response, with the Ferrari star saying: “Not at all.
“Because Ferrari is Ferrari. And they need the best drivers in their cars. So, for the benefit of Ferrari, it is completely understandable.
“For me, I don’t see any negative in that, because it’s Lewis Hamilton.”
It’ll be fascinating to see the dynamics of the pair when they become team-mates. When asked if he’s capable of beating Hamilton, Leclerc added: “Well, I need to be convinced that I am the fastest driver when I put the helmet on, but I am really looking forward to it, and it will be super-interesting for me.
“I have always said you learn from every single team-mate you have over your career.
“When I look at the way he drives – because we always look at each other and data – you don’t really see any weaknesses.
“And that’s where Lewis is incredible. He’s only got strengths.
“So I’m really looking forward to seeing how he works with his engineers, the feedback, and all of these kinds of things, to learn and become better.”
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Charles Leclerc has lavished praise on Lewis Hamilton
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Leclerc also lavished praise on Ferrari chief Fred Vasseaur, insisting the team are progressing well under his stewardship.
“Fred has two very big strengths which are very important in F1 – and especially in a team like Ferrari, where the passion is so high that in very good moments there are lots of emotions, but there are also very big emotions whenever we are going through a tough time,” he continued.
“In F1, you need to be as flat emotionally as possible and Fred is always a little bit the balance.
Charles Leclerc has hailed Ferrari chief Fred Vasseur
GETTY
“Whenever we have very difficult moments, he helps the team to be back at a reasonable level and not be too disappointed.
“And exactly the same when we win, to not be too high and bring us back down and tell everybody we’ve got to work because this is only one race.”