Charles Leclerc sheds light on Ferrari updates amid Lewis Hamilton negotiations

Hamilton stunned the Formula 1 world in February when he revealed that he had triggered a release clause in his Mercedes contract, signaling his departure from the team at the conclusion of the 2024 season.

Leclerc, it turns out, was well aware of the brewing interest between Hamilton and Ferrari.

Soon after Hamilton's revelation, Ferrari issued a succinct statement confirming the British driver's signing: "Scuderia Ferrari is pleased to announce that Lewis Hamilton will be joining the team in 2025, on a multi-year contract."

With Hamilton's arrival, he and Leclerc will form a formidable partnership in 2025, as they aim to secure Ferrari's first Drivers' Championship title since 2007.

Hamilton's decision to trade Mercedes' silver for Ferrari's iconic red took many by surprise, including Mercedes' team principal Toto Wolff, who was informed just 24 hours before the official announcement.

However, one person who wasn't caught off guard was Leclerc.

"It had been rumored for a while, but until it's official, you can never be certain," Leclerc shared with the Italian edition of Motorsport. "I knew there was mutual interest, and in such cases, an agreement often follows."

While Leclerc didn't actively seek updates on the negotiations, he noted the transparency from Ferrari throughout the process.

"I didn't ask for details - it's not my role—but everyone was very open and honest with me," he said.

In fact, Leclerc was aware that the deal was progressing even before the official confirmation that Hamilton would be his teammate in 2025.

"Fred [Vasseur] mentioned it to me, but honestly, I had sensed things were heading in that direction," Leclerc explained. "I don't recall a specific call where they informed me of Lewis' arrival, probably because I wasn't surprised by the agreement. It was more of a gradual realization until the official announcement."

Hamilton's signing signals the end of Carlos Sainz's tenure at Ferrari, a partnership that began in 2021 after Sainz's two-year stint with McLaren. Sainz will join Williams next season, having signed a deal for 2025 and beyond.

Despite the excitement of working with Hamilton, Leclerc took a moment to acknowledge his positive experience with Sainz.

"I've had a fantastic working relationship with Carlos—he's an incredible driver, and we've navigated some very tough times together at Ferrari," Leclerc said. "His contributions have been instrumental in our progress, and we've always collaborated well."

"That said, having a seven-time World Champion like Lewis join the team is both exciting and motivating. It's exciting because I'll get to learn from one of the best in F1 history, and motivating because I'm eager to compare myself with Lewis in the same car."

"For these reasons, I'm looking forward to this new chapter, but I want to emphasize that my time with Carlos has also been exceptional."