11 Surprising Reasons Charles Leclerc is Outshining Lewis Hamilton as Ferrari’s New Icon

In the ever-evolving world of Formula 1, Charles Leclerc stands as a beacon of hope for the legendary Scuderia Ferrari. As the 2025 season unfolds, fans and critics alike keenly observe his journey, not only for his skill on the track but for his unwavering commitment to the team. This article delves into the various facets of Leclerc’s career with Ferrari, highlighting why many see him as the cornerstone of the team’s future success.

11. Potential as Ferrari’s Future World Champion

Despite Ferrari’s current struggles in the 2025 season, Charles Leclerc remains their best hope for championship glory. Fans overwhelmingly voted him as their prediction for 2025 F1 champion (32.14%), ahead of both Norris and Hamilton. His determination to win a world title with Ferrari, despite their performance issues, shows why he’s becoming the team’s true standard-bearer.


10. Experience with Ferrari’s Team Dynamics

GP BELGIO F1/2022 – SABATO 27/08/2022 credit: @Scuderia Ferrari Press Office

Charles Leclerc’s seventh season with Ferrari gives him unparalleled insight into the team’s complex dynamics. His longevity and familiarity with Ferrari’s culture and technical staff mean he’s regarded as the squad’s anchor, with some insiders predicting Leclerc will initially be treated as Ferrari’s “number one” over newcomer Lewis Hamilton.


9. Outperforming Hamilton in Qualifying

Source: Ferrari Press Image

Leclerc has demonstrated his qualifying prowess in 2025, leading Hamilton with a 6-2 head-to-head record. The Monegasque driver is often regarded as F1’s fastest qualifier, maintaining a consistent edge over the seven-time world champion. While Hamilton excels in slow-speed corners, Leclerc’s overall one-lap pace has given him the upper hand at Ferrari so far this season.


8. Better Adaptation to the SF-25 Car

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 16: Lando Norris of Great Britain driving the (4) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes leads Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 Oscar Piastri of Australia driving the (81) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes Yuki Tsunoda of Japan driving the (22) Visa Cash App Racing Bulls VCARB 02 George Russell of Great Britain driving the (63) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W16 Charles Leclerc of Monaco driving the (16) Scuderia Ferrari SF-25 Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Scuderia Ferrari SF-25 and the rest of the field at the start during the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit on March 16, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202503160082 // Usage for editorial use only //

Charles Leclerc has demonstrated stronger adaptability to the SF-25 than Lewis Hamilton, swiftly identifying the car’s strengths and weaknesses. While Leclerc has openly guided development, particularly citing issues in medium and high-speed corners, Hamilton is still becoming accustomed to the setup, giving Leclerc a clear edge.


7. Historic Win at Monza in 2024

Charles Leclerc cemented his Ferrari legacy with a thrilling victory at the 2024 Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Using a bold one-stop strategy and masterful tyre management, he held off intense pressure from McLaren rivals, delivering Ferrari’s first Monza win since 2019 and igniting passionate celebrations among the Tifosi.

6. Iconic Home Victory at Monaco in 2024

GP BELGIO F1/2022 – GIOVEDI’ 25/08/2022 credit: @Scuderia Ferrari Press Office

After years of heartbreak and near misses, Charles Leclerc finally broke his “Monaco curse” on May 26, 2024, winning his home Grand Prix for the first time. This emotional triumph on the streets of Monte Carlo fulfilled his destiny and gave him a career-defining moment that will forever be etched in Formula 1 history.


5. Longstanding Ferrari Relationship (Since 2019)

Charles Leclerc’s journey with Ferrari began in 2016 as part of the Ferrari Driver Academy, before stepping up as a full-time driver for the Scuderia in 2019. His deep-rooted ties and years of dedication have made him a symbol of stability for the team—something even Lewis Hamilton cannot yet match.


4. Breakthrough at the Japanese Grand Prix

Spectators at Red Bull Front Rown in Suzuka Circit, Mie, Japan, on April 6th 2025 // Kunihisa Kobayashi / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202504080216 // Usage for editorial use only //

Despite finishing P4 at Suzuka in April 2024, Leclerc identified crucial car improvements during the race weekend. “On Friday I feel like I found a way to help me maximise the car more for the future,” he stated, showing his technical insight and commitment to development that’s making him invaluable to Ferrari’s future.


3. His “Extreme” Setup Advantage

Leclerc has embraced a dramatically different setup direction since the Japanese Grand Prix, describing it as “quite extreme” and “very, very pointy.” This approach has made his Ferrari trickier to drive but has consistently given him higher minimum cornering speeds in high-speed sections compared to Hamilton. Despite the challenging handling, Leclerc notes this suits his natural driving preference, saying “it’s something that I like, that I’ve always liked in my career.”


2. Podium Finish in Saudi Arabia

Ferrari Press Image

Leclerc secured Ferrari’s first podium of the 2025 season with a gritty third-place performance at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in April. He extended his opening stint masterfully and held off McLaren’s Lando Norris, demonstrating superior race management compared to teammate Hamilton who finished seventh. Charles later admitted the team “maximized absolutely everything” despite the SF-25’s limitations.


1. Consistent Performance in the 2025 Season

Ferrari Press Image

Despite Ferrari’s struggles with the SF-25, Charles Leclerc has consistently outperformed his teammate, Lewis Hamilton, in both qualifying and races throughout 2025. Leclerc remains the benchmark driver at Ferrari, regularly maximizing the car’s potential and securing strong results, even while podiums have been elusive.

Conclusion:

Ferrari Press Image

Charles Leclerc’s journey with Ferrari continues to captivate the F1 community, as he consistently demonstrates his prowess and dedication both on and off the track. Whether through memorable victories at historic circuits or his strategic acumen in car development, Leclerc embodies the spirit and ambition of Ferrari. As the season progresses, it will be intriguing to see how he leverages his experiences and insights to further propel the team toward glory, solidifying his status as a potential future world champion with the Scuderia.