Ferrari F1 'SELF-DESTRUCT' alert issued over Lewis Hamilton arrival

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Social, Photoshop — Photo: © IMAGO

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Ferrari 'SELF-DESTRUCT' alert issued over Hamilton arrival

Lewis Hamilton will drive alongside Charles Leclerc in 2025

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Thursday 30 January 2025 18:57 Updated: 21:19

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A former Formula 1 driver has warned Ferrari that Charles Leclerc could ‘self-destruct’ at the team following Lewis Hamilton’s arrival.

Ferrari’s lineup of Hamilton and Leclerc is expected to be the strongest driver pairing on the grid in 2025, with both drivers capable of fighting for the world title if they are provided with a competitive car.

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However, the question of which driver will come up on top is yet to be resolved, with Hamilton’s form at Mercedes in 2024 looming over the champion as he prepares for the upcoming season.

The 40-year-old was beaten by former team-mate George Russell across 19 qualifying sessions last year, and with 26 pole positions to his name already, Leclerc is expected to be a tough opponent against Hamilton on a Saturday.

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The official Ferrari site are currently running a sale with up to 30 per cent off their existing F1 merchandise ahead of Hamilton’s arrival.

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Former F1 driver and race winner, Juan Pablo Montoya, has issued a warning over Ferrari’s 2025 driver pairing and suggested it could result in two scenarios for Leclerc.

On the one hand, he stated that Leclerc could learn from Hamilton and improve, but on the other has revealed that the Monegasque driver could get frustrated and ‘self-destruct’ at Ferrari.

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"It's going to be a hard dynamic for Charles Leclerc, but unless Leclerc knows he's still the future of Ferrari, he may play ball with Lewis Hamilton coming into the team,” Montoya said to CasinoApps.

“Leclerc can learn with Hamilton as his teammate and will try to outperform him. If Hamilton comes into the team and makes them better, but Leclerc can learn from him and still outperform his teammate, it will make Ferrari's decision to keep him easier and Leclerc can go on to win a world championship.

“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."