Hamilton, Leclerc and Vasseur prior to the Italian Grand Prix

Ferrari believes Hamilton’s arrival helps Leclerc to his best level yet

20:21, 10 Sep

byKada Sarkozi

Team principal Frederic Vasseur believes Charles Leclerc has improved in various aspects this season.

While a Grand Prix victory has yet to come, Leclerc has already stood on the podium five times in the 2025 campaign.

He is the only Ferrari driver to do so, as Lewis Hamilton's best finish is fourth on a Sunday, even though the Briton could deliver the Scuderia's first-ever Sprint victory in Shanghai.

For the first time since 2021, the Monegasque driver has a new teammate, once again pairing up with a world champion since his stint alongside Sebastian Vettel.

Vasseur considers today’s Leclerc the best version so far, he explained on the Beyond the Grid podcast, and that can also be attributed to the arrival of Hamilton.

"Probably, yes [this is the best we've seen from Leclerc].

"And clearly, I think this (Hamilton's arrival, ed.) helped also a little bit to release some pressure from Charles," he began.

"He did a very good job from the beginning of the season."

"I think Charles also improved in terms of approach, structure, he's more mature.

"I don't know if it's a part of the contribution of Lewis, but it's coming from the maturity of Charles."

No repeat of Leclerc's 2024 win in Monza

At Ferrari's home Grand Prix in Monza, Leclerc and Hamilton finished fourth and sixth respectively.

Speaking to GPblog, Vasseur explained why they could not finish on the podium last Sunday.

"It's very difficult to imagine what could have been the race without [overheating the tyres]. It's true that in the fight at the beginning, we were not, strangely, because he was able to overtake Piastri one or two times.

"But I think we are not in a good place. We overheated the tyres massively and then we paid the price the next five, six laps when Russell was able to follow, and the others [were able] to fly."