Jenson Button: Leclerc needs to challenge Hamilton

Former world champion Jenson Button believes that Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc needs to offer Lewis Hamilton a legitimate challenge for the Formula 1 world championship this season.

Ferrari endured a poor campaign in 2019, leaving Mercedes to claim their sixth constructor and drivers title with relative ease.

Ferrari: Vettel and Leclerc 'understand how to behave', says BinottoRead more

Speaking toThe Daily Mail, the former McLaren driver feels that the Frenchman needs to start putting in the hard work in order to reach new heights.

He said: “Charles has gone through that honeymoon period at Ferrari and now it is about knuckling down and this year has got to be the year he fights for the championship.”

The 22-year-old has already shaken off the No.2 label at Ferrari after outshining team-mate Sebastian Vettel, with both now considered equal drivers by team principal Mattia Binotto.

And Button thinks that this could be the Ferrari's best chance in years at pushing Mercedes all the way.

He added: “I can't wait to be watching what unfolds at Ferrari, I really think they will pull it together and take it to Mercedes.

“As soon as they realise they have to be fighting Lewis [Hamilton], rather than each other, they will have a great chance of fighting for the championship.”

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