01 February 2024 , 12:27
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Charles Leclerc has already made his feelings clear on having Lewis Hamilton as his team-mate at Ferrari.
After all, this is not the first time the seven-time world champion has been linked with a move to the Scuderia. But, for all the rumours of the past, this looks set to finally be the prediction that comes true.
Hamilton has not yet put pen to paper on a deal to join Ferrari in 2025. But confirmation of that deal is set to come soon with the Briton finally ready to quit Mercedes in pursuit of an eighth F1 title before he retires.
He was most recently linked with the move last year, though it didn't come to pass. At the time, though, amid heavy speculation, Leclerc was quizzed by reporters on how he would feel about going up against Hamilton in the same team.
And the Monegasque declared he would be delighted to welcome Hamilton to Ferrari. "If I say yes, I imagine it being the title of every newspaper," he joked, before giving his real answer to the question.
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"Lewis is such an incredible driver, has achieved so much in the sport, so I think anybody on the grid would love to have Lewis as a team-mate, as everybody would learn a lot from him. But again, I'm happy where I am, and with Carlos [Sainz] it's a great relationship too."
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That partnership he has with Sainz will come to an end of Hamilton's Ferrari move goes through. Leclerc signed a contract extension with the team last month, meaning it will certainly be the Spaniard who loses his place to make room for the Mercedes star.
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen what decision Mercedes will take regarding their own driver line-up. Teenager Andrea Kimi Antonelli is a hot prospect that a lot of people are talking about, but 2025 will surely be too early for a 17-year-old who has yet to race even at F2 level to be thrust into one of the top seats on the F1 grid.
In any case, there are other matter to attend to first. Team principal Toto Wolff is speaking to staff at the team's factories today to inform them of the news and of the team's plans for now.
After that, official confirmation of Hamilton's Ferrari move could come at any time. There have even been suggestions that the new may be broken as early as Thursday afternoon.