As Ferrari prepares for one of its most highly anticipated seasons in recent memory, the focus isn’t just on their car development—it’s on their driver dynamics. The arrival of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton alongside Charles Leclerc has the potential to make Ferrari a true title contender, but former F1 race winner Juan Pablo Montoya believes the pairing could also turn into an internal power struggle.
While the honeymoon phase is still in full swing, Montoya warns that things could quickly shift once the lights go out in Melbourne.
Leclerc’s delicate balancing act
For Leclerc, the arrival of Hamilton presents both an opportunity and a threat. The Monegasque driver, who has been Ferrari’s golden boy since dethroning Sebastian Vettel in 2019, now faces his biggest challenge yet—sharing the garage with a driver who has redefined dominance in Formula 1.
“It’s going to be a hard dynamic for Charles Leclerc,” Montoya told Autosprint. “But unless Leclerc knows he’s still the future of Ferrari, he may play ball with Lewis Hamilton coming into the team.”
Leclerc will need to find a delicate balance between learning from Hamilton and ensuring he doesn’t lose his grip as Ferrari’s long-term investment.
Montoya sees two potential paths for Leclerc:
- Absorb Hamilton’s experience and use it to elevate his own game
- Succumb to frustration and let it impact his performance, as seen in his late-2024 tensions with Carlos Sainz
“If Leclerc gets frustrated with the Hamilton situation, a bit like he did with Carlos Sainz towards the end of last season, he could self-destruct,” Montoya warned.
The Hamilton factor: Can Ferrari handle its newest superstar?
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari represents one of the biggest transfers in F1 history, but Montoya questions how the Brit will adapt to the unique demands of Maranello.
“What I find fascinating is that you could put Lewis in any team other than Ferrari, and he would be the main character there,” Montoya noted. “But nothing is bigger than Ferrari, so how they control that and manage that will be very interesting.”
At Mercedes, Hamilton enjoyed a level of autonomy and influence that few drivers in F1 history have had. But at Ferrari, the team always comes first, and the Scuderia operates on its own terms.
Montoya suggested that Hamilton could face a cultural shock, as Ferrari will expect him to adapt to their traditions rather than the other way around.
“Everything at Mercedes followed Lewis, but I think at Ferrari, they will ask him to do things he won’t like doing,” Montoya added. “There are just things Ferrari drivers have to do that others do not.”
Angela Cullen’s return: A crucial stabilizer for Hamilton
One factor that could help Hamilton navigate his transition is the return of Angela Cullen, his longtime performance coach. Montoya believes Cullen will play a crucial role in helping Hamilton maintain his comfort and control within Ferrari.
“She does a little bit of everything. She looks after him, makes sure he’s eating right, stretching, whatever he needs,” Montoya said.
More than just fitness and preparation, Cullen could act as an intermediary between Hamilton and the Ferrari hierarchy, helping him adjust to a team-first culture that might not always align with his personal expectations.
“Having her back in this new environment is a good thing because he’ll be able to have things work more his way,” Montoya explained.
Ferrari’s greatest challenge: Managing egos while chasing the title
Ferrari now has two of the biggest names in Formula 1 in its lineup, but as Montoya pointed out, talent alone won’t guarantee success. The team faces the daunting task of ensuring that the Hamilton-Leclerc partnership doesn’t implode under pressure.
The Colombian’s concerns are valid—if Ferrari mismanages this duo, internal tensions could derail their championship ambitions. But if they get it right, they have the perfect combination of experience and raw speed to finally break Red Bull’s dominance.
“Ferrari’s 2025 season is poised to be one of their most high-profile campaigns in years. With Hamilton’s star power and Leclerc’s raw speed, they have the ingredients for success,” Montoya concluded.
The question remains: Will Ferrari harness this power or be consumed by it? The answer may define the entire 2025 Formula 1 season.
