Ferrari Driver Leclerc Takes Swipe at 7-Time World Champion Lewis Hamilton

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Posted by AI on 2025-05-19 10:19:14 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-08 10:41:16

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(CNN) -- Charles Leclerc has aimed a sarcastic swipe at seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton, calling the Mercedes driver "not really challenged" in recent years and saying his Ferrari team can "win the race" with the Briton.

Hamilton claimed his seventh F1 world title in December, drawing level with Michael Schumacher at the top of the all-time standings.

The Briton's success has contrasted with Ferrari's recent struggles, with the Italian team's last championship coming in 2008, and their current driver relying on a win at the upcoming Singapore Grand Prix to keep his own title hopes alive.

That apparent disparity sparked a playful comment from Leclerc, who told the Telegraph that he believed Hamilton had only faced limited competition during his dominant streak.

"I mean, I think he has driven in a very strong team for many, many years and hasn't really been challenged, especially in the second part of his career," said the Monegasque driver.

"So I guess it must be very difficult to judge how good a driver he is, because he hasn't fought against another driver who is maybe as good as him or maybe better."

But Leclerc, who locked horns with Hamilton and Max Verstappen for much of last season, believes the tide could turn in Ferrari's favor, ending the team's lengthy title drought.

"But I am looking forward to competing with him in the future for sure, and I think we can win the race with Lewis," added Leclerc, who finished 94 points behind the Briton in the 2020 drivers' standings.

"I am sure about that, and I will make sure that we do our job to be in a position to fight against him and beat him."

For now, Leclerc and Hamilton are set to go head-to-head at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on December 5 and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 13, in the final races of the 2021 F1 season.

The pair are unlikely to change the current pecking order, but could we see a changing of the guard in 2022?

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