Hamilton's Ferrari partnership with Leclerc 'won't be worse than Sainz now'

In the world of Formula 1, there is a lot to be optimistic about for Ferrari. The team from Maranello were the biggest talking point during the 2024 winter break when they signed seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton to join them for the 2025 season to partner Charles Leclerc in one of the biggest driver transfers in F1 history. Along with this, Adrian Newey will leave Red Bull Racing. The designer hasn't confirmed where he will go but he has expressed interest in working for the Ferrari brand in the past.

Newey guided Red Bull to seven drivers' and six constructors' titles in his time working for the Austrian team. Now, he has left their Formula 1 operations with immediate effect, only continuing work at the RB17 Hypercar. In 2025, he will leave Red Bull indefinitely, and that will open the door for Ferrari to hunt him down. This would benefit the Italians greatly as Newey could help shape their 2026 car with Hamilton and Leclerc behind the wheel.

'It's all about Ferrari winning'

Another factor that will be interesting to keep tabs on during the 2025 season is how Hamilton and Leclerc will fare as teammates together, especially if they have a championship-winning car at their disposal. Hamilton's former McLaren teammate Jenson Button spoke about this to Sky Sport's F1 Podcast, saying that Hamilton now looks "so relaxed within himself."

"If it was Lewis of seven, eight years ago, it would be a tricky relationship. But no, I don't think they're going to have issues as being teammates at all. No more than Carlos and Charles have right now.

"In Ferrari, everybody works for Ferrari," continued the 2009 World Champion. "It's all about Ferrari winning the world championship. It's a different way of racing for someone like Lewis, who is such a star in this sport. Suddenly, he's kind of working for Ferrari to win the championship. So I look forward to seeing the dynamic there. And that's going to be very exciting next year."