Leclerc sends Hamilton warning ahead of Ferrari arrival

Charles Leclerc has warned Lewis Hamilton he is ready to try and claim a maiden F1 world championship in their first season at Ferrari.

Hamilton is joining Leclerc at Ferrari for 2025, with the two hoping to use the strong foundation of ’24 to springboard an assault on landing the Scuderia’s first title since 2008. 

Ferrari’s tally of five wins in 2024 was the most since it scored six in 2018 as it challenged McLaren for the constructors’ crown up until the Abu Dhabi finale, missing out by 14 points.

Leclerc has finished ahead of his team-mate in all but one of his seasons in grand prix racing – in 2021 – and believes he is ready to challenge Hamilton and also fight for the title.

“So all in all, there were a lot of positive moments in the season, but second or third is not what we want, we want to win,” he explained at the FIA prize gala. 

“But the second-half of the season has been super positive and I’m really looking forward to next year trying to take that title. 

“I am very hungry for next year, and obviously the disappointment is still fresh from the last race as we’ve been fighting with McLaren for that constructors’ title until the very last race, but they’ve just done a better job.

“They fully deserve the title and congratulations to them and to Max, it’s been a very long season but I’ve realised some of my dreams. 

“Probably there is one highlight, which is Monaco. From growing up in Monaco and dreaming of being a Ferrari driver, that is where my passion for motorsport started and to be able to win in Monaco was very, very special, as was winning in Monza.

“Another dream that was quite unexpected was to be able to drive with my younger brother [Arthur] in Free Practice 1 [in Abu Dhabi] was a very special moment for our family.”

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