P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Charles Leclerc has confirmed that he was aware of negotiations between Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari prior to committing his long-term
Last month, Ferrari announced that Charles Leclerc had signed a multi-year contract to continue his association with the team beyond the upcoming season.
It was revealed that Lewis Hamilton would replace Carlos Sainz as Leclerc’s new teammate from 2025, a decision Leclerc was informed about before finalizing his contract.
Leclerc expressed respect for Sainz and emphasized that they would continue to work together to achieve the best results in their remaining year as teammates.
Although the news of Hamilton’s arrival didn’t come as a surprise to Leclerc, he highlighted Hamilton’s experience and success as valuable additions to the team.
Leclerc’s faith in Ferrari’s project and the team’s support since his early career were key factors in his decision to extend his contract with the Scuderia.
He also shared that he had been in contact with Hamilton, looking forward to the challenge of competing against a seven-time World Champion on equal terms.
