Vasseur: Hamilton's Arrival Propelled Leclerc to His Best Season Yet

Why it matters:

Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur believes Charles Leclerc is performing at his peak this season, attributing some of this improvement to the arrival of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Despite not yet securing a Grand Prix victory in 2025, Leclerc has achieved five podium finishes, making him the only Ferrari driver to do so.

The big picture:

Leclerc is now partnered with a world champion for the first time since Sebastian Vettel in 2021. Vasseur, speaking on the Beyond the Grid podcast, described the current Leclerc as the best version seen so far, suggesting that Hamilton's impending arrival helped alleviate some pressure on the Monegasque driver.

The details:

• Leclerc's Performance: Leclerc has shown significant improvement in his approach and maturity, consistently delivering strong results early in the season.
• Hamilton's Impact: Vasseur noted, "Probably, yes [this is the best we've seen from Leclerc]. And clearly, I think this (Hamilton's arrival) helped also a little bit to release some pressure from Charles." While Hamilton's best race finish is a fourth place, he did secure Ferrari's first-ever Sprint victory in Shanghai.
• Team Dynamics: The dynamic of having another top-tier driver joining the team seems to have positively influenced Leclerc's mindset and on-track performance.

Monza Struggles:

Reflecting on the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where Leclerc and Hamilton finished fourth and sixth respectively, Vasseur admitted that tire overheating significantly hampered their race. "We overheated the tyres massively and then we paid the price the next five, six laps," he explained, indicating a missed opportunity for a stronger result at their home race.