The presentation of Ferrari’s new team in the city of Milan was designed to be a big party. Thousands of tifosi turned up in the Piazza del Castello to welcome their new heroes: the Monegasque Charles Leclerc, who aspires to establish himself, and Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time champion who arrives in Maranello to try to restore the Scuderia to its years of glory. Although the gestures between the two seemed to be smiles and camaraderie, the track set up for the occasion witnessed the first battle of an internal confrontation that looks set to mark the entire season. Leclerc and Hamilton did not miss an opportunity to measure themselves against each other, each overtaking the other during the exhibition, in a duel which, although disguised, was a way of expressing that the hierarchy within the team will be a matter of dispute.
Ferrari warms up in Milan
The Scuderia created a street circuit in the heart of the Italian city, where Leclerc and Hamilton roared their engines in a cheerful atmosphere, but the asphalt changed everything. On each lap of the exhibition, Leclerc and Hamilton tried to lead the way, overtaking each other with maneuvers that, although spontaneous, showed the real contest. Hamilton, with his usual composure, did not want to give way, while Leclerc, familiar with the place and supported by the tifosi, did not want to back down either.
The celebration also helped Hamilton to demonstrate his connection with Ferrari and the fans. “Grazie a tutti, vi amo” was the phrase he dedicated to the crowd in Italian. But the truth is that, within the team, the peace will be short-lived if the war between him and Leclerc continues.
Vasseur wants internal struggle
Frederic Vasseur, head of the Ferrari team, far from passing the buck, supported this fight between the two drivers. “We need this internal competition between them, that’s where the performance comes from,” he said in statements to La Gazzetta dello Sport. For the Frenchman, Hamilton’s arrival on the team will bring experience and a winning mentality, but it will also raise the level of Leclerc, who will have to show that he is ready to be Ferrari’s leader. “From day one, I was convinced that Charles would benefit greatly from the arrival of Lewis. Maybe it will take some of the pressure off him and he can focus more on himself,” explained Vasseur.
However, Leclerc seems to have convinced himself that he must mark his territory from the start. Everything seems to indicate that 2025 will be a very tough internal battle, something that has happened throughout Ferrari’s history and that looks set to happen again.
An inevitable rivalry
While Hamilton adapts to his new life at Ferrari and also gets closer to the tifosi, Leclerc focuses on establishing his place in the team. Both are competitive, ambitious and know that one of them will end up above the other.
The Englishman is clear about it: “We can do it. I’m sure”. As for Leclerc, he replies with a combination of respect and determination: “I will use my best efforts and more to take Ferrari all the way”, said the Monegasque.
With four teams fighting for the top spot in the Formula 1 World Championship, the first great duel has already begun within Ferrari. The preseason has hinted at a competitive Ferrari, and there will also be an intense fight to see who should be the number one driver.
A red party in Milan also became the first spark of a rivalry, possibly the one that will determine Ferrari’s destiny in 2025. The season has begun and the tension is already noticeable in Maranello.