Ferrari’s blockbuster Hamilton-Leclerc duo is perhaps the most heavily anticipated aspect of the upcoming 2025 season. For obvious reasons, such a talented driver roster is already attracting immense attention in pre-season.<\/p>\n
Based on how Ferrari ended last year’s campaign, Hamilton and Leclerc could realistically find themselves in a title battle.<\/p>\n
In this scenario, Fred Vasseur<\/a> will be faced with tough decisions regarding the Scuderia’s “number 1 driver.”<\/p>\n Since becoming team principal at the beginning of 2023, Vasseur has been no stranger to making big moves.<\/p>\n Under his watch, the Italian squad has seen major operational progress – which manifested in a very well executed campaign last season.<\/p>\n Ferrari’s recovery from their mid-season slump in Barcelona (which they corrected at the Italian GP) is testament to the team’s vastly improved understanding of the current regulations.<\/p>\n With that said, Vasseur’s biggest impact at Ferrari was the acquisition of Lewis Hamilton<\/a> last year.<\/p>\n The Frenchman’s relationship with Hamilton, having worked together in GP2 in 2006, was instrumental to getting the deal across the line.<\/p>\n The 7-time Champion has made clear that he would not have joined the Scuderia without Vasseur as team principal.<\/p>\n On the opposite side of the garage, Charles Leclerc<\/a> obviously enjoys a very good relationship with the Ferrari boss.<\/p>\n Even before walking through the gates of Maranello, Vasseur spent a year as the Monegasque’s team principal during his rookie year at Sauber.<\/p>\n Perhaps because of this, the 56-year-old is not concerned about managing his new driver line-up:<\/p>\n “Emulation between drivers is a key factor in performance,”<\/em> he told Gazzetta<\/a>.<\/p>\n “There were moments to manage between Charles and Carlos too, but in the end it benefited their performance.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n “There is great respect between Lewis and Charles.<\/em><\/p>\n “They have been talking for months about what awaits them racing together at Ferrari, so I’m not worried.”<\/em><\/p>\n It is certainly true that Ferrari’s driver pairing have always had a respectful relationship – even whilst racing for direct rivals.<\/p>\n Charles Leclerc has only spoken in glowing terms about Hamilton’s arrival at Maranello<\/a>, which he perceives as a great benefit – both for the team and on a personal level.<\/p>\n Then again, relations between teammates rarely sour before their first race in the same garage.<\/p>\n The strain of a Championship battle, however, rarely fails to generate tensions within a team.<\/p>\n This is not to suggest that Leclerc and Hamilton will end the 2025 season on bad terms – but the inevitable competition between both drivers is something Ferrari must manage.<\/p>\n Above all, Fred Vasseur’s team can be expected to have a pragmatic approach with their new line-up.<\/p>\n At the beginning of the season, the Scuderia will look to capitalise on their all-star duo and collect the most points possible.<\/p>\n Considering the talents at rivals McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull, this is their only option.<\/p>\n In the opening stages of the season, optimising the strategies of both drivers on a race by race basis will be the logical approach.<\/p>\n However, as seen with Piastri’s controversial overtake on teammate Lando Norris<\/a> at last year’s Italian GP, the question of having a ‘number 1 driver’ will inevitably rise if the Scuderia are in a Championship battle.<\/p>\n This is not to say Ferrari will explicitly favour either driver.<\/p>\nFred Vasseur unconcerned<\/h2>\n
Hamilton and Leclerc aim for a strong start<\/h4>\n
Ferrari must answer big quesitons<\/h4>\n