Ex-F1 team boss reveals why Charles Leclerc could take lead role over Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari in 2025. Guenther Steiner discusses why Charles Leclerc might emerge as Ferrari's lead driver.

The rivalry between Ferrari teammates Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in the 2025 Formula 1 campagn is expected to be one of the most compelling narratives of the year. As Hamilton takes on the challenge of his new role at Ferrari, the dynamics between him and Leclerc are already drawing attention.

Hamilton, after settling into his new team, has participated in several pre-season tests at Ferrari’s Maranello headquarters. During the testing sessions, Karun Chandhok noted that the seven-time world champion appeared comfortable in the SF-25, although he did not complete a full race simulation. Ferrari cited a “telemetry anomaly” that interrupted his planned run on the third day of testing. Instead, Hamilton focused on building his relationship with engineer Riccardo Adami and adapting to Ferrari’s trackside operations. Despite some reports from Alex Brundle that Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari appeared challenging to drive at times, the seven-time champion showed competitive potential as they worked on refining the car’s setup.

As the season unfolds, there will be speculation about whether Hamilton can surpass Charles Leclerc, given the Monegasque driver’s status as Ferrari’s established star. Former F1 team principal Guenther Steiner shared his perspective on why he believes Leclerc might have the upper hand over the Briton in 2025 during a conversation on CNN.

Guenther Steiner highlighted that Charles Leclerc’s exceptional one-lap pace is likely to be a key advantage in their rivalry. The Ferrari driver’s qualifying performances have often been outstanding, and his blistering speed in qualifying is expected to present a challenge for Hamilton. In a direct comparison of their performances in the SF-25 at Fiorano, Leclerc posted a lap eight-tenths quicker than the former Mercedes man, despite Leclerc getting to drive the car first.

The former Haas team boss is confident that the Monegasque’s qualifying strength, combined with his ability to learn from the data and apply that knowledge to race day, will play a crucial role in his potential to beat Hamilton over the course of the season. According to Guenther Steiner, this combination of raw speed and tactical approach will give Charles Leclerc the edge in their on-track battle for supremacy at the Maranello team. Guenther Steiner suggested that while Lewis Hamilton excels in race management, his advancing age could become a factor. He pointed out that Charles Leclerc, being much younger, might benefit from working alongside Hamilton or even adopting some of his techniques. Steiner speculated that if the Monegasque applies these lessons effectively, he could establish himself as Ferrari’s lead driver by the end of the season.

Guenther Steiner predicts Fred Vasseur will face ‘tough calls’ in Ferrari’s internal battle

Ferrari has never hesitated to use team orders when necessary, a strategy that has played a pivotal role in shaping its past title campaigns. From Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello to Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa, the Scuderia has a long history of prioritizing one driver over another to maximize championship success.

As the 2025 season unfolds, Ferrari could find itself in a similar situation once again. With Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc both eager to lead the team, team principal Fred Vasseur may be forced to make difficult decisions to keep Ferrari’s title ambitions on track. Former F1 team boss Guenther Steiner believes that if Ferrari emerges as a serious championship contender, the Frenchman will need to carefully manage the dynamic between his two drivers to avoid internal conflict and ensure the best possible results. Guenther Steiner pointed out that both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc had previously raced for Fred Vasseur’s teams in F2 and F3, highlighting the strong personal relationships the Ferrari team principal has with both drivers. He suggested that there would inevitably be moments when Frederic Vasseur would have to make tough calls, but expressed confidence that the Frenchman would not shy away from such challenges. According to Steiner, the Ferrari team boss had deliberately positioned himself with two highly competitive drivers, ensuring Ferrari had the best possible chance to fight for a championship.

Ahead of the Australian Grand Prix at the Albert Park circuit, Lewis Hamilton will be counting on his pre-season preparations to bring him up to speed with his Maranello teammate, but early indications suggest the Monegasque driver could hold a slight advantage for now.