Hamilton tipped to gain psychological edge over Leclerc at Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton has been backed to gain a psychological advantage over Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc if he maintains his strong early-season form. After a difficult first year with the Scuderia, the seven-time champion has started 2025 strongly, securing a podium and closing the gap to Leclerc in the standings, prompting former F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya to suggest he could "get into Charles' head."

Why it matters:

The internal dynamic at Ferrari is a critical factor in its bid to challenge Mercedes for championships. A confident, performing Hamilton applying consistent pressure could unsettle Leclerc, who has long been the team's focal point. This psychological battle could dictate Ferrari's intra-team harmony and ultimate performance in the development race against a dominant Mercedes.

The details:

• Hamilton's challenging debut season in 2024 marked a historic low, as he failed to score a single Grand Prix podium for the first time in his career.
• Rule changes for 2025 and a car development shift toward Hamilton's preferred driving style have contributed to his markedly improved performance.
• He currently trails Leclerc by just one point in the championship, having finished ahead of him in China to secure his first Ferrari podium.
• Juan Pablo Montoya attributes the turnaround to Hamilton being "hungry" and "more comfortable," but crucially highlights improved team support.
  • "His working group is a lot better than it was last year... he's got a lot more support around him this year, and that makes a lot of difference," Montoya stated.
• Montoya believes this foundation will "pay off big dividends," setting the stage for a psychological duel if Hamilton starts consistently beating his teammate.

The big picture:

While the Hamilton-Leclerc storyline captivates, the overarching narrative remains Mercedes' continued supremacy. Montoya bluntly dismissed the idea of Ferrari catching Mercedes this season, asserting, "I think Mercedes has got more in the bag." This frames Ferrari's internal competition as a battle for best-of-the-rest honors, at least in the short term, with major implications for 2026 driver market dynamics.

What's next:

All eyes will be on the teammate battle at this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix and beyond. Hamilton's ability to sustain his momentum will test Montoya's theory. The key question is whether consistent pressure from a seven-time champion can affect Leclerc's performance, or if the Monegasque driver will reaffirm his status as the team's leading force. Meanwhile, Ferrari's development trajectory relative to Mercedes will determine if this internal rivalry ever evolves into a true fight for a world title.