As the motorsport world turns its attention to Ferrari, following the transition of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes, the spotlight is also firmly on Charles Leclerc. Former F1 racer Roberto Merhi has suggested that it’s Leclerc, not Hamilton, who is poised to lead the prestigious Italian team’s quest for the championship.
The shift of Hamilton to Ferrari has been a headline-grabbing affair, leading to forecasts of another thrilling face-off with Verstappen, reminiscent of the 2021 championship. Some pundits, including Tom Coronel, have even predicted a dramatic championship decider similar to that year. However, Merhi’s perspective offers a different narrative.
Merhi posits that Leclerc’s deep-rooted familiarity with Ferrari, coupled with his significant influence on the development of the SF-25, provide him with a distinct edge. “Ferrari has the potential to clinch the World Championship,” Merhi asserted, “but I see a brighter chance with Charles Leclerc at the helm rather than Lewis Hamilton. It’s Charles’ territory, the Ferrari is tailor-made for him. The team’s dynamics are vastly different from Mercedes.”
Despite Hamilton’s impressive record as a seven-time champion, his performance in the ground-effect era has been marked by challenges. Andrew Shovlin from Mercedes previously underscored that while Hamilton thrived under the previous regulations, he has found the current cars more challenging to adapt to.
Shovlin clarified, “Hamilton used to rely heavily on certain elements that were crucial for optimal performance under the old regulations. He has found it tougher to adjust to the way these new cars operate.”
In the 2024 season, Hamilton finished seventh, marking his career’s worst result, despite clinching two victories. The question now is how swiftly he can adapt to his new circumstances at Ferrari. Merhi has expressed reservations about Hamilton’s ability to adjust quickly.
With Ferrari demonstrating strong form in the previous season, and Leclerc’s deep integration within the team, many are of the view that this could be Leclerc’s golden opportunity to claim his first title. Only time will tell whether this prediction holds true or if Hamilton will once again prove his critics wrong.