Posted by Matthew Warnier, Media365, Tuesday February 13, 2024 at 7:50 pm.
Alongside the introduction of the SF-24, Charles Leclerc admitted that he had been informed of Lewis Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari in 2025 before extending his contract.
Charles Leclerc was not surprised. On February 1, after a day marked by persistent rumours, Scuderia Ferrari confirmed the arrival of Lewis Hamilton in its ranks in 2025. A few days earlier, Charles Leclerc signed a new long-term contract with the Maranello-based team. Unsurprisingly, the topic of future cooperation between Britain and Monegasque was discussed alongside the presentation of the SF-24, which took place this Tuesday in Fiorano. The 2022 world vice-champion took the opportunity to make sure he knew his future with Ferrari before agreeing. “It is clear that this type of agreement does not end overnight,” the Monegasque declared in comments collected by the official F1 website. It takes time, of course. And I was aware of these discussions before signing my contract. So it was no surprise after my signing. » The possibility of having a seven-time world champion at his side may make Charles Leclerc doubt. However, Monegasque assured that this did not change his belief in staying in Maranello.
Leclerc: “It’s always interesting to have new colleagues”
“It hasn’t changed anything in my discussion because once again, I’m focusing on myself and what’s good for me,” he added. So my needs haven’t changed or anything. That was not part of my discussion. » Charles Leclerc welcomes the fact that “the team was transparent”, making sure that he did not learn about his teammate’s change through the press. Monegasque also confirmed he had spoken to Lewis Hamilton “specifically when the announcement was made official”. “He is a great champion with a lot of experience and success,” he added. Having a new teammate is always interesting, because you learn different ways of working, of driving, when this new teammate is a seven-time world champion. » Charles Leclerc hopes the Briton brings his experience to the Ferrari team as much as to himself. “Lewis Hamilton is obviously an incredible driver, the winningest in history, with a lot of experience, which he will bring to the team and to me, and that’s a good thing,” he said. – It guarantees. Before that, the winner of five Grands Prix has one more year with Carlos Sainz Jr. A Spanish pilot with whom “everything went well” and with whom he wants to do “the best possible job”.