Hamilton compares Ferrari situation to McLaren in 2007

Lewis Hamilton reckons the current situation at Ferrari with Sebastian Vettel being viewed as the number one driver ahead of rookie Charles Leclerc is similar to the dynamic which was in place when he was with McLaren in the 2007 F1 season.

Last year the Scuderia chose to replace Kimi Raikkonen with Leclerc, who impressed in his debut season with Sauber. However, the Monegasque driver has been issued team orders in every race in 2019 so far, while Ferrari have publicly stated Vettel would be given priority.

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In 2007, Hamilton found himself in a comparable predicament as he was the young driver coming into a team with a world champion, Fernando Alonso.

“I think he’s a little bit younger than I was, a year or so, but when you’re young, particularly, I remember wanting to get to Formula 1 as soon as possible,” Hamilton said of Leclerc.

“Then when I got there I wanted to win as soon as possible and beat the champion I was racing against, so it’s very very similar, so I see much of myself in Charles.

“And he’s doing a great job already so far, with really high expectations at a huge team like Ferrari. He’s driving so well, he just has to keep doing what he’s doing, it’ll come to him.”

When asked by the media if he believes Ferrari are correct in their treatment of Vettel and Leclerc, the five-time world champion was diplomatic in his response.

“It’s not my decision to make. I don’t know,” Hamilton answered.

“I don’t have to run the team and I don’t have to make decisions so it doesn’t make any difference to me. I’m fighting against both of them.”

Hamilton has won two of the opening three races so far this campaign and tops the driver’s championship heading into Baku on Sunday.

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