Ex-Haas team principal Guenther Steiner thinks that Fred Vasseur must make some ‘difficult choices’ regarding Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton as they go through their first season together as Ferrari teammates. Hamilton reaches Maranello with the goal of bringing Ferrari back to their past greatness and adding an eighth Drivers’ Championship to his achievements.
Leclerc, on the other hand, has been the top driver for Scuderia since he replaced Sebastian Vettel and has been eagerly anticipating his opportunity to secure an F1 title. Currently, the two teammates share an outstanding relationship and have collaborated effectively throughout the off-season to assist Ferrari in optimizing their performance from a completely revamped design concept in the SF-25.
“Steiner informed CNN that both drivers raced for Fred’s F2 and F3 teams, Lewis and Charles.” “He has established strong interpersonal relationships.” That’s intended for the two of them. They hold Fred in high regard because, without him, they wouldn’t have achieved their current positions. “Therefore, that is a favorable position to occupy.”
The ex-Haas chief added: “Clearly, there will be instances when Fred must make tough choices. However, I do not believe he fears it. I believe he placed himself in a favorable situation with these two drivers to secure a championship.
One only needs to examine Hamilton’s history to grasp the dangers of having two rival teammates competing for World Championships. Tensions arose between the Brit and Fernando Alonso during the initial phase of his tenure at McLaren, and a similar situation occurred with Nico Rosberg when Mercedes excelled during the turbo-hybrid period.
Although fireworks may occur, team principal Vasseur thinks that internal rivalry could be what Ferrari requires to advance to the next level. “Indeed, it’s consistently a chance, and a key skill of the driver is to continually strive for improvement,” he stated.
A great method to enhance is to learn from the experience or performance of your teammate, as they are the driver nearest to you and you can utilize the data available to you. If you are smart, you can take a step using your teammate’s potential.
I’m completely certain, as we have already completed two TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) and the shakedown today, that this will hold true. Frankly, I’m not afraid in the slightest about this, as we require this type of emulation.
“I discussed it last year regarding Charles and Carlos [Sainz].” It was already true, but as a team, for us to succeed, we must have both drivers performing well. We require two drivers engaged in a type of rivalry, a constructive competition and a healthy emulation. “I have no doubt that this will be true.”
Ferrari’s Challenge in Managing Two Top Drivers
With Hamilton joining Ferrari, the team now faces a major challenge in balancing the interests of both drivers. Hamilton arrives as a seven-time world champion, a driver with vast experience, and someone who knows what it takes to win multiple titles. His presence alone adds immense value to the team, but it also brings a new dynamic that Ferrari has not experienced in recent years.
Leclerc, meanwhile, has been the face of Ferrari for several seasons. He has been the one leading the team through difficult times, showing his speed and talent in a car that has not always been capable of fighting for the championship. Now, with Hamilton in the mix, Leclerc must prove that he can compete at the highest level against one of the greatest drivers in the sport’s history.
This situation presents a difficult but exciting dilemma for team principal Fred Vasseur. On one hand, he must ensure that both drivers have equal opportunities to succeed, but on the other hand, he must also prioritize the team’s best interests. If Ferrari finds itself in a championship fight, decisions will need to be made regarding which driver to back, and history has shown that this can lead to internal conflicts.
Learning from Past Experiences
Ferrari has been in similar situations before, with legendary driver pairings like Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello, Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, and more recently, Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. However, none of these partnerships compare to what Hamilton and Leclerc could bring to the team.
Hamilton’s past experiences with intense rivalries—such as his dramatic battles with Alonso in 2007 and Rosberg from 2014 to 2016—show that managing two top-tier drivers is never easy. At McLaren, tensions between Hamilton and Alonso boiled over, leading to a breakdown in their relationship and costing the team a chance at the title. At Mercedes, Hamilton and Rosberg’s rivalry became one of the fiercest in F1 history, culminating in multiple on-track clashes and a highly emotional 2016 season, where Rosberg narrowly beat Hamilton to the championship before retiring.
Ferrari must be prepared for similar challenges. While Leclerc and Hamilton currently have a good relationship, the true test will come when they are fighting each other for wins. If both drivers are in a position to challenge for the championship, tensions could rise, and Vasseur will have to make difficult choices about race strategies, team orders, and overall team management.
A Potentially Dominant Partnership
Despite the risks, Ferrari has the potential to create a dominant partnership with Hamilton and Leclerc. If they can work together effectively, they could push each other to new heights and give Ferrari the best chance of winning a championship in years.
Hamilton’s experience in developing a winning car will be invaluable for Ferrari. He was a key figure in Mercedes’ dominance throughout the turbo-hybrid era, and his insights could help Ferrari take the final step needed to become consistent title contenders. His ability to extract maximum performance from a car, manage race strategies, and stay mentally strong in high-pressure situations will be a huge asset.
Leclerc, on the other hand, brings youthful energy and raw speed. He has already shown his ability to challenge the best drivers on the grid, and with Hamilton as his teammate, he will have a direct benchmark to measure himself against. If Leclerc can learn from Hamilton and apply those lessons, he could become an even more formidable driver.
Internal Competition: A Necessary Risk
Vasseur has made it clear that he welcomes competition within the team, believing that internal rivalries push drivers to improve. This approach worked well at Mercedes, where Hamilton and Rosberg drove each other to greater performance levels despite their clashes. Red Bull has also benefited from having competitive teammates in the past, with Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo producing some memorable battles.
For Ferrari, having two elite drivers fighting for supremacy could be the key to finally breaking their long championship drought. However, the team must handle the situation carefully. If managed well, Hamilton and Leclerc could create a golden era for Ferrari, but if tensions spiral out of control, it could lead to internal conflicts that hurt their championship chances.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 season will be a defining moment for Ferrari. With a brand-new car concept and one of the strongest driver lineups on the grid, the team has everything it needs to challenge for the championship. However, the success of the Hamilton-Leclerc partnership will depend on how Ferrari manages its internal dynamics.
For now, both drivers seem to be on the same page, working together to help Ferrari improve. But as the season progresses and the championship battle intensifies, the real test will begin. Will Ferrari be able to balance the ambitions of two world-class drivers? Can Hamilton and Leclerc maintain a strong working relationship while competing for the same goal?
One thing is certain: this season will be one of the most exciting in Ferrari’s history. Fans can expect thrilling battles, intense rivalries, and plenty of drama as Hamilton and Leclerc fight for supremacy in the famous red cars. The choices Ferrari makes in handling its drivers could determine whether they return to championship glory or face another year of missed opportunities.
