P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Leclerc knew of Ferrari’s Hamilton plan before signing new contract
The Monegasque driver announced a new long-term deal with the Scuderia just a week before the bombshell news earlier this month that Hamilton would be joining him next year. The timing of the Hamilton move prompted some to suggest that Leclerc may have been caught blindsided by the fact that he would now find himself going up against the seven-time world champion. However, Leclerc said Ferrari had kept him in the loop about his plans and that he saw no downside to the development. He mentioned that the deals take time to finalize and he was aware of the discussions before signing his contract. Leclerc expressed his admiration for Hamilton’s skill and experience and said there was no change in his contract negotiations due to Hamilton joining Ferrari. Finally, Leclerc highlighted the positive aspects of having Hamilton as a teammate, emphasizing the learning opportunities and experience he would gain from working with a seven-time world champion.
