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Charles Leclerc gives honest view on Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari situation

Originally posted on HITC | By David Comerford | Last updated Nov 20, 2025 11:58 AM ET

Lewis Hamilton’s first season at Ferrari hasn’t gone as planned, and recent comments from chairman John Elkann have only added to the scrutiny around his role. The noise got louder after Elkann publicly told his drivers to ‘talk less’.

Some believe Elkann was speaking more about Hamilton than Charles Leclerc, who has been the team’s lead driver this year and has delivered all seven of their podium finishes so far.

Another factor could be how Hamilton approached his first months with the team. Reports suggest some staff weren’t happy with his detailed feedback documents, which were seen as an audit of Ferrari’s operations.

David Croft thinks there may be tension between Hamilton and Ferrari as a result. Neither side’s expectations have been met since the most publicised driver transfer in F1 history.

Charles Leclerc says Lewis Hamilton is fitting in well at Ferrari

Leclerc spoke about Hamilton while in the media pen during the Las Vegas Grand Prix on Friday. He said the seven-time world champion has developed ‘a really good relationship’ with his new team.

Like everyone else at Maranello, Hamilton had to adjust when it became clear the SF-25 wasn’t going to challenge for titles. But Leclerc maintains that the team is sticking together – something he also mentioned on social media following the race in Brazil.

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“I don’t think Lewis is struggling at all to find his place in the team,” Leclerc said. “I think there’s a really good relationship with Lewis and the team.

The pressure hasn’t eased as yet another championship slips away from both drivers – though this time for different reasons. For now, speculation will continue unless results change next season under F1’s next major regulation shift.

Ferrari’s PR briefing works wonders as Charles Leclerc responds to John Elkann

Leclerc and Hamilton were both given their first chance to respond to Elkann on Thursday. Ferrari’s PR team briefed the drivers before they entered the media pen, asking them to ‘put on a brave face’, and both drivers were receptive.

Leclerc knew what Elkann was going to say because they’d discussed his plan on the phone beforehand. It was apparently designed to spur the team on.

Ferrari attempted to stop questions about their chairman and instead directed reporters towards topics relating to the race itself.

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

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