Charles Leclerc subtly warns future Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton: “I’m only happy when I win”

Formula 1’s Italian Giants, Scuderia Ferrari, skyrocketed with confidence following Lewis Hamilton’s ‘dream move’ announcement to Ferrari in 2025. This news was like a ‘confidence-booster’ for the Reds, as they hope to end their 16-year trophyless drought with him.

Everyone wearing Ferrari’s red will surely welcome the seven-time World Champion wholeheartedly. But Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s future partner, has sent a ‘subtle’ warning to him ahead of the transfer.

Charles Leclerc voices ambitions ahead of next season

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has publicly opened up about his ‘realistic’ ambitions ahead of the 2024 F1 season. Speaking at a sponsor event, Charles Leclerc stated, “To win the championship, this is the only target I have”.

“You need to give yourself realistic targets as well, as much as we are always optimistic and try to do the best job possible. We all want to win but looking at where we are starting from from last year,” he added.

“So now we need to close the gap as much as possible. We will do absolutely everything to try and, and do the step that, that is our goal in order to challenge.”

In the event, he also made it ‘crystal clear’ that he isn’t at Ferrari to be anyone’s second-fiddle, saying “I’m only happy when I win, second place is not my target”. Although he didn’t put in Hamilton’s name, Leclerc clearly hinted that he would put in a good fight when they become Ferrari team-mates.

Charles Leclerc will hope to play ‘catch-up’ (like he did with Carlos Sainz last season) with Lewis Hamilton in 13 months from today in their first Grand Prix as partners.

Charles Leclerc talks on relationship with Carlos Sainz

During the event, Charles Leclerc also touched down on his four-year-old ‘special’ relationship with his partner Carlos Sainz, who is losing his Ferrari seat to Lewis Hamilton in 2025.

Expressing his sadness regarding Sainz’s departure, he uttered “We have a very special relationship. We are obviously friends outside the track as well”.

“We are sharing good moments. We spend so much time [together] – I see Carlos more than my own family because we’ve got 24 races now!”, he added.

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz will start their last season together on March 2nd at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.

Will Leclerc give a ‘good’ competition to Hamilton? Or will he end up being the ‘second-fiddle’? Let us know your thought in the comments.