F1 News
Hamilton and Leclerc together at Ferrari: A chance for Verstappen?
- Ludo van Denderen
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in one team; two drivers who both want to be the leader, two drivers whose ultimate goal is the world championship. Whereas Red Bull Racing has for years chosen to put a 'lesser' driver alongside Max Verstappen, Ferrari are going to experiment with two absolute top drivers. That could be an advantage for Verstappen.
This season has already shown a little of what happens when several drivers are matched: they snatch points from each other. With Hamilton and Leclerc in '25 in the same car, there is a risk of them snatching points from each other, leaving a third - in this case Verstappen, who feels no threat from Perez - to run away with the top prize.
Vasseur always wants two top drivers at Ferrari
Fred Vasseur, however, is not worried that Hamilton and Leclerc are so close together that they will render themselves hopeless against Verstappen, who has no need to reckon with anyone. "I think something like this is always loose in a team and I am convinced that you get more points with two drivers than with .... one and a half," Vasseur stated in an interview with Italian media, quoted by Motorsport.com.
The Ferrari team principal believes that his team is currently reaping the benefits of Sainz and Leclerc being so matched. "They push each other. And if one has a relapse, the other takes the lead," the Frenchman concluded his satisfaction. "My belief is to always have two very strong drivers."