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Ex-F1 champion Mika Hakkinen warns Ferrari about the ‘destructive nature of equal status’ Lewis Hamilton set to join Charles Leclerc in 2025

Originally posted on FirstSportz | By Manmayee Joshi | Last updated 4/4/24

Recently on his blog, Mika Hakkinen decided to talk in depth about the Ferrari situation. At the start of February, the Italian outfit made an announcement of a multi-year contract with Charles Leclerc and signing Lewis Hamilton from 2025 onwards.

All these years it was pretty clear that Ferrari gave preference to Charles Leclerc over Carlos Sainz. Despite Sainz’s brilliant performances in recent times with Ferrari, the team decided to drop him in favor of the seven-time world champion, this has astonished Mika Hakkinen.

He recently took the time to dwell on the fascinating 2025 prospect at Ferrari.

It’s clear the team’s focus has been on Charles Leclerc, who enjoys a long-term contract, so the news that Lewis Hamilton will join the famous Italian team in 2025 raises some questions. Will the team be able to give both Charles and Lewis the same genuine opportunity? We have seen before how destructive equal status can be in a team. Mika Hakkinen via: unibet.co.uk

Leclerc has been Ferrari’s top priority since Sebastian Vettel’s 2020 departure. However, that is going to change once Lewis Hamilton steps in. The power duo that everyone is looking forward to, might face an internal power struggle. It would be interesting to see, how their bond will develop from next year onward.

Charles Leclerc not under any pressure because of Carlos Sainz’s success

Carlos Sainz will run out of his contract with Ferrari at the end of this season. However, his performance in the second half of last year and during the ongoing campaign has raised questions at Ferrari as to whether they are making the right choice by letting him go. The admirers of the F1 also have started speculating regarding the potential of Charles Leclerc.

However, despite everything, the Monegasque is not bothered.

And the fact is that I haven’t been doing so in Singapore and in the last race. But I will keep pushing, of course. However, the fact that Carlos won’t be in Ferrari next year doesn’t add pressure or anything. My goal is always to try and win. Charles Leclerc said: Crashnet

Many believe that Sainz’s brilliant performances would throw Leclerc under a lot of pressure, but this is not the case. The latter took the second position at the Australian GP and also had a podium during the Saudi Arabian event. Keeping everything in view, the upcoming Japanese GP will be a fascinating watch from the point of view of the fans, as well as Ferrari.

This article first appeared on FirstSportz and was syndicated with permission.

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