Lewis Hamilton comment speaks volumes about Leclerc Ferrari rivalry | F1 | Sport
The Briton was also refreshingly candid about his ambitions to overtake Leclerc, even suggesting he would have conquered the Monégasque driver had the race lasted slightly longer. “I went into today and none of us knew what the true pace was going to be,” he said following Sunday’s race. “But I felt great from the get-go and was obviously closing a gap right at the end to Charles. A couple more laps and I think I would have had Charles, maybe one or two more laps. So there are lots and lots of positives to take.” The dynamic between Hamilton and Leclerc has remained cordial since the former transferred to Maranello from Mercedes last year. The duo have discussed their mutual admiration for each other on several occasions, though that hasn’t stopped tensions from surfacing.
‘Tea break’ remark
One notorious incident occurred at last year’s Miami GP when Hamilton expressed his dissatisfaction with the team’s strategy while running behind his team-mate. Hamilton was urging engineer Riccardo Adami to allow him past Leclerc rather than “burning up his tyres” in the dirty air behind Leclerc.
The call was eventually made to permit Hamilton through, at which point he retorted: “Have a tea break whilst you’re at it!” And while that display of exasperation wasn’t directed at Leclerc personally, it was the Monegasque’s more measured pace at the time that had prompted his frustration.
He subsequently informed his team the episode “was not good teamwork” and later explained he simply desired a swifter decision because he wants to win. And it’s evident that if he believes he’s quicker, he’s not hesitant to challenge Leclerc to provide his team (and himself) the optimal opportunity at victory.
Hamilton labelled Leclerc’s driving in that instance “dangerous” and indicated he wouldn’t have backed off had it not been for the fact he was challenging for the world championship. Fortunately, the pair have experienced no such close calls since operating under the same banner.
Team priorities
Above all, Hamilton has emphasised repeatedly that Ferrari’s requirements take precedence over his or Leclerc’s. In the lead-up to this weekend’s Australian GP, he once more underlined the team’s importance, although he couldn’t help referencing his personal objectives as well.
“Do I think I will be ahead of Leclerc? I don’t see it that way,” he told Corriere della Sera last week. “Ferrari is one entity. In Italy, and elsewhere, people follow it like a religion and love it like the Pope. My goal isn’t to divide the fans; we both want to win.
“Of course, I would like to be the one on top, and I am working toward that, but the team comes first. Charles is a phenomenal driver in how he drives, his work ethic, and he has been here for eight years.”
