Admits Learning from Hamilton: A Turning Point for Ferrari

Ferrari’s Monaco Grand Prix weekend was always going to be special, but no one—not even the paddock’s most seasoned analysts—expected Charles Leclerc to drop a bombshell that could fundamentally change the team’s approach, the intra-team dynamic, and even Ferrari’s long-term prospects in Formula 1.

In a surprising and frank moment during the press rounds ahead of his home race, Charles Leclerc made an unprecedented admission: after an exhaustive analysis of Lewis Hamilton’s driving data, he’s been consciously borrowing elements of the seven-time world champion’s technique. At first glance, it might sound like simple admiration, but dig deeper and it reveals much more. This is a rare case of a top driver not just respecting a rival, but actively learning from him—a move that could ignite a strategic and cultural revolution within Ferrari.

Leclerc’s Public Confession

Leclerc is no stranger to scrutiny. As Ferrari’s home-grown hope and the emotional epicenter of a team that wears its legendary history like an ever-present cloak, he’s accustomed to expectation and pressure. Yet, it’s his complete candor this week that has left fans and insiders stunned: “Hamilton is extremely talented and has a very interesting driving style which I sometimes use myself at certain points in the race,” Leclerc revealed.

This isn’t empty flattery; it’s a clear statement that Ferrari’s leader is not only open to change but proactively seeking it out. Internally, this has sent ripples through Maranello, a place where individuality is both prized and protected, and where learning from rivals—especially future teammates—rarely happens publicly.

The Hamilton Effect: Technique and Mindset

Leclerc’s admiration for Hamilton goes beyond superficial style. He’s detailed that it’s Lewis’ discipline, attention to detail, and relentless push for improvement that have shifted his own methodology. Perhaps the most intriguing element Leclerc highlighted is Hamilton’s racecraft—particularly his masterful throttle modulation on street circuits, like Monaco. Hamilton’s ability to manage grip on corner exit, maximizing traction while minimizing tire wear, is legendary. Ferrari’s SF-25, meanwhile, has notably struggled for traction and tire longevity, especially on twisty circuits.

By studying Hamilton’s overlays, telemetry, and video, Leclerc has started to adapt—eschewing his trademark aggression for a more nuanced, calculated exit phase in low-speed corners. While Leclerc’s style has always been fiery and explosive, brilliant in qualifying but sometimes unsustainable over a full race distance, Hamilton combines outright speed with the patience and subtlety to preserve the car and tires—evoking consistency, not just bursts of magic.

But perhaps most important is the attitudinal shift. Leclerc, long known for radio outbursts and wearing his heart on his sleeve, has been impressed by Hamilton’s contagiously calm, analytical communication. “He challenges everything, analyzes everything, and pushes the team in ways I hadn’t really seen before,” Leclerc admitted. This intellectual approach underpins Hamilton’s dominance and is something Ferrari’s star is now beginning to emulate.

Technical Revolution at Maranello?

It’s not just the drivers adapting; Ferrari’s engineers are responding too. For Monaco, the team has reverted to a high-downforce rear wing last seen in 2024, as well as making fundamental changes to suspension and ride height. These tweaks were motivated by both Leclerc and Hamilton’s feedback, with increased attention to rear grip, stability, and curb riding—all areas where Hamilton’s feedback and experience have already proven invaluable at Mercedes.

This newfound “coherence,” as team insiders describe it, indicates more than just technical change. It’s a cultural movement inside Ferrari—away from siloed thinking, toward genuine collaboration and shared feedback. For the first time in years, both drivers are asking for similar upgrades, prioritizing the same characteristics, and providing complementary input. The result? A unified Ferrari, both in mindset and machinery.

Why Monaco Matters—and What Comes Next

Monaco is a circuit where car pace matters less; it’s about precision, confidence, and extracting the absolute maximum from imperfect machinery. Ferrari, battered by strategic inconsistencies and inconsistent car development, knows a win here could be a much-needed catalyst. The internal power shift is palpable: Leclerc’s humility in echoing Hamilton’s technique signals a willingness to subvert his individuality for team gain, while Hamilton—whose move to Ferrari turns ever-nearer and who brings a legacy of both speed and culture-changing leadership—is already steering the ship, even before his first race in red.

But this narrative goes beyond the streets of Monte Carlo, beyond 2025. Ferrari isn’t yet a championship favorite—Red Bull remains ahead, McLaren is fast improving, Mercedes is resurgent—but the groundwork for revival is clear. It’s a team embracing adaptability, harmony, and learning—a stark contrast to the lone-wolf mentalities of Ferrari past.

A New Era: Synergy over Rivalry

If Ferrari’s two star drivers continue to converge—if Leclerc’s willingness to learn tempers his speed with reliability, and Hamilton’s team-building prowess lifts the organization’s game—then this Monaco revelation could genuinely mark a turning point. Not a quick fix, but the beginning of a new, more formidable Ferrari: one defined by synergy, humility, and relentless improvement.

It’s worth remembering that legendary comebacks never start with a single race win—they start with a shift in culture and mindset. For Ferrari, that shift may have just happened in the most public, vulnerable way possible: with their homegrown star admitting, without ego, that sometimes the champion’s way is the best way.

The Road Ahead

Can Ferrari translate this new harmony from Monaco into sustained progress in a year crowded with rivals and uncertainty? That’s the next question—and perhaps the most important one. The answer might determine whether Monaco 2025 is remembered as a fleeting anomaly, or as the day Ferrari—by learning from the best—finally set itself back on course for greatness.

Now, with both Leclerc and Hamilton pointing in the same direction, the rest of the F1 grid will be watching closely. Because in Formula 1, sometimes the ultimate show of strength is learning—together.