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Hamilton surprised by Ferrari F1 team-mate Leclerc's work ethic

Lewis Hamilton says the work ethic of “Mr FerrariCharles Leclerc is what has surprised him most about his new Formula 1 team-mate at the Scuderia.

Hamilton’s blockbuster move from Mercedes to join Ferrari means he becomes Leclerc’s third team-mate in the Monegasque’s now seven-year stint in red – after Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz.

Both Hamilton and Sainz were asked to give their opinions on Leclerc in the pre-event press conference for this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix – with how Ferrari’s new line-up ultimately compare set to be one of the biggest talking points of the new campaign.

After initially joking “beside his great hair?”, Hamilton said: “What surprised me most? Well, I would say work ethic. It's been really good.

“I didn't know [that before], you don't know what happens behind closed doors.

“Naturally, I think every driver works really hard, but everyone has a different method and how they achieve that ultimate performance.

“And it's been really interesting to see, his is not too dissimilar to mine. And you just see a hardworking kid, just getting on with it.

“He's obviously been in the team a long time. It's his second team – obviously the team he was with before was, was relatively short there, and then he's had this amazing time at Ferrari.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari (Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images)

“And so, he is very much Mr Ferrari and it's been really cool to work alongside him and I'm really looking forward to working alongside him for the year.”

Sainz, who has moved to Williams for 2025 after being squeezed out of Ferrari by its deal with Hamilton, compared strongly against Leclerc in their four seasons as team-mates.

He suggested his former colleague is now hitting a high-point in his career – with Leclerc’s 2024 season considered by many F1 observers to be his best in the category to date.

It featured little in the way of the wild crashing that marred his early seasons and contained several impressive wins – particularly those at Monaco and Monza.

“I think no one needs to talk about his talent and his speed – everyone knows that,” Sainz said.

“I think he's doing an incredible job and he's part of that team growth that Ferrari has seen recently. And in that Ferrari has a great ambassador also. And also, good on him – good job.

“He's been progressing both as a driver, but also as a human being all these years and he's now probably in one of his sweetest spots of his career. He feels mature, comfortable and probably ready to win. So, let's see what they can do this year.”

Photos from Australian GP - Thursday

Jack Doohan, Alpine

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Liam Lawson, Red Bull Racing

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Ferrari fans

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Liam Lawson, Red Bull Racing

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Ayao Komatsu, Team Principal, Haas F1 Team with traditional performers

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes with Charlie Curnow

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes at the Press Conference

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber, Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Yuki Tsunoda, RB F1 Team

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Jack Doohan, Alpine

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Jack Doohan, Alpine join some Didgeredoo players

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Jack Doohan, Alpine

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing, Carlos Sainz Sr

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Nico Hulkenberg, Kick Sauber

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Liam Lawson, Red Bull Racing

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Valtteri Bottasm Mercedes talks with Graeme Lowdon

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Liam Lawson, Red Bull Racing

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Liam Lawson, Red Bull Racing

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Liam Lawson, Red Bull Racing

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

George Russell, Mercedes

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Lando Norris, McLaren

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Red Bull Racing prepares for a pit stop

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Jack Doohan, Alpine

2025 Australian Grand Prix - Thursday

Formula 1
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In this article
Alex Kalinauckas
Formula 1
Lewis Hamilton
Charles Leclerc
Ferrari
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