Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari for the 2025 season is one of the biggest moves in recent Formula 1 history and for Ferrari fans, it represents hope that the Italian team might return to championship-winning form.

But for Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s arrival introduces a unique challenge–sharing a team with one of the most successful drivers in the sport while maintaining his own standing. How can he deal with that?

Leclerc has been with Ferrari since 2019 and has established himself as a key figure in the team’s plans. He’s had standout performances, including his win at the 2024 Monaco Grand Prix, a personal and historic moment as the first Monegasque driver to triumph there in almost a century.

His pace and skill have made him a natural leader at Ferrari, but Hamilton’s highly anticipated arrival could shift the balance as only the media put Leclerc a bit on the sideline for now.

On top of that, Hamilton brings immense experience and a track record that speaks for itself. After years of domination with Mercedes, he’s stepping into a new environment with Ferrari, aiming to write a fresh chapter in his already legendary career.

For Leclerc, this is both an opportunity and a test. While he’s spoken positively about learning from Hamilton, sharing a team with such a big name comes with pressure.

The dynamics will be complicated. Leclerc knows Ferrari inside out, having built strong relationships over six seasons. This familiarity gives him an advantage as Hamilton adjusts to a new team. But Hamilton’s ability to quickly adapt and extract the most from any car will make him a formidable teammate from the start, which requires Leclerc to be at his best consistently to hold his ground.

While Leclerc has shown his brilliance, he’s also had moments of inconsistency. These need to be minimized because Hamilton rarely wastes opportunities. Every race will be an internal benchmark, and Leclerc must prove he can match or even outperform his teammate across a full season.

At the same time, this partnership doesn’t have to be all about rivalry. Leclerc can also focus on the positives that such a star brings to the team and learn as much as possible from Hamilton’s experience, which can a be a big advantage over other drivers, after the Briton leaves the sport.

If they work well together, Ferrari stands to benefit greatly, especially in developing the car and improving strategy. However, maintaining harmony will depend on clear communication and fairness from the team’s management. Ferrari has faced challenges before when managing two strong drivers, so they’ll need to strike the right balance to avoid unnecessary friction.

Ultimately, the 2025 season will be a defining year for Leclerc. He has the skill and determination to meet the challenge of competing with Hamilton head-on. How he handles this new dynamic will shape not just his season but his reputation as one of Formula 1’s top drivers, so it’s just up to him, which way he decides to go. The road won’t be easy, but success rarely is.