Charles Leclerc recently expressed admiration for Lewis Hamilton’s outstanding braking skills, an area where Leclerc has traditionally considered himself the benchmark. During the 2025 Formula 1 season, Leclerc, who currently leads Ferrari’s charge, recognized Hamilton’s mastery in this particular driving aspect that surprisingly exceeds what he has seen from previous teammates such as Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz.
This revelation comes as a surprise since Leclerc has consistently been known for his late braking style, which has contributed to his success this season. Highlighting this, Leclerc said,
I think how late he brakes is very impressive. In my career, I’ve always been the one braking later than my teammates, and that is a particular driving style I didn’t really see in any of my teammates. I think Lewis is a step ahead, even more so in that direction.
—Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Driver
Discipline and Focus Set Hamilton Apart on and off the Track
Beyond his technical skills, Leclerc also praised Hamilton’s extraordinary discipline. Observing from the outside, Leclerc noted the complexity of what Hamilton manages during races and his ability to stay thoroughly focused. He remarked,
His discipline is very, very impressive. From the outside, I obviously remember I was seeing him managing so many different things, and I was like, ‘This has to be hard.’ But then when you look at how organized everything is, you can understand that he’s just 200 percent focused on racing.
—Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Driver
This level of concentration and organization shines through despite Hamilton’s current sixth place standing in the Drivers’ Championship, a position that falls short of his usual dominance. Nevertheless, Hamilton’s dedication to improving his performance at Ferrari remains strong.
Hamilton’s Adaptation to Ferrari and Future Prospects
Although Lewis Hamilton has faced challenges on the racetrack during this season, his transition to Ferrari and his off-track ventures are going well. Hamilton has expressed his fondness for Italy and the exciting projects he is pursuing outside Formula 1. His enthusiasm suggests that he is motivated to lift his on-track results alongside his ongoing personal and professional growth.
With Leclerc leading Ferrari’s podium finishes and Hamilton aiming to close the gap, the rivalry between these two drivers is intensifying. Their competition promises to deliver thrilling moments and significant developments as the season progresses.