P1racenews AI automatic summary:
“It was a huge motivation for me to see him join the team so that I could compare myself to him.”
Charles Leclerc has changed his approach in response to lessons learned from Lewis Hamilton, relying less on “gut feelings” and more on data analysis during race weekends, following Hamilton’s move to Ferrari in 2025. Despite the challenge of Hamilton’s arrival, Leclerc has continued to perform as Ferrari’s lead driver, securing all of the team’s podiums this year and benefiting from working alongside the seven-time world champion. Leclerc revealed that he has gained valuable insights from Hamilton about data analysis, tire management, and performance optimization during qualifying sessions. Looking ahead to the 2026 season, Ferrari faces pressure to deliver after a disappointing 2025 campaign, with speculation about the future of team principal Frederic Vasseur and potential changes within the team if performance does not improve.
