Fractured focus: Charles Leclerc charts his own course as Ferrari leans into Lewis Hamilton
As Formula 1 heads to Bahrain, internal tensions rise at Ferrari with Charles Leclerc diverging from Lewis Hamilton’s path amid early-season struggles.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Noah Ngcobo breaks down the situation and what it could mean for the Scuderia moving forward.
A rocky start to 2025
The 2025 F1 season has delivered unpredictability and excitement, with four different drivers claiming victories across Grands Prix and sprint races.
But for Ferrari, the early rounds have exposed cracks rather than promise. With just 35 points from three rounds and a fourth-place standing in the Constructors’ Championship, the Scuderia find themselves at a crossroads far earlier than expected.
Lewis Hamilton’s much-hyped arrival from Mercedes was meant to usher in a new era of competitiveness for Ferrari.
While the seven-time world champion did pick up a Sprint win in China, the team’s best Grand Prix result remains Charles Leclerc’s fourth-place finish in Japan - a sign that raw pace and race-day execution are still lacking.
Leclerc breaks away from Hamilton’s shadow
Frustration is clearly mounting within Maranello, and at the heart of the storm is Charles Leclerc.
The Monegasque driver, who has long carried Ferrari’s hopes, is now staking his own claim to control over the team’s technical direction.
According to Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport, Leclerc informed team principal Fred Vasseur and senior engineers after qualifying at Suzuka that he would “go his own way” with setup moving forward.
In a clear departure from unified team strategy, Leclerc will test a fundamentally different configuration on the SF-25 at this weekend’s Bahrain Grand Prix, tailored specifically to his driving style.
This marks a pivotal moment.
Leclerc has essentially signalled that he will no longer allow his approach to be influenced by the data or decisions emerging from Hamilton’s side of the garage.
Ferrari’s divided focus
Ferrari’s internal dynamics have been under intense scrutiny since Hamilton’s blockbuster move.
Reports suggest the team has been “hanging on his every word,” prioritising his feedback as they try to fast-track his adaptation to the SF-25.
Hamilton himself has alluded to the complexity of that process, emphasising how deeply involved drivers are in setup decisions and the aerodynamic fine-tuning that happens behind the scenes.
Despite his experience and input, the Briton has admitted the car is not yet performing to expectations, citing an “underperforming” component that has affected his results.
“I’m generally lacking performance compared to all the cars ahead of me,” Hamilton said after finishing seventh in Japan, referencing Mercedes, McLaren, and Red Bull as benchmarks.
“We found something that’s been underperforming for the last three races, so I’m really hoping when that’s fixed, I’ll start getting better results.”
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Bahrain as the litmus test
The Bahrain Grand Prix offers Ferrari an early chance to recalibrate.
With the team returning to the site of pre-season testing, engineers and drivers have a valuable data set to benchmark any new developments.
Ferrari are reportedly preparing a new floor for the SF-25, aimed at improving balance and driveability.
However, there’s internal disagreement about when it should be introduced - a further sign of the lack of cohesion within the camp.
As Leclerc trials his new approach this weekend, Bahrain could become a proving ground - not just for performance but for influence within the team.
If his independent direction yields stronger results, Ferrari may be forced to reassess how they distribute technical authority between their two star drivers.
A team at a tipping point
The early signs of friction between Leclerc and Hamilton’s camps reflect a deeper issue at Ferrari: the challenge of managing two elite talents with differing needs and communication styles.
While Hamilton brings legacy and experience, Leclerc represents long-term commitment and emotional investment in the Scuderia.
Whether this tension evolves into healthy competition or open conflict may well define Ferrari’s 2025 season.
What’s clear is that Bahrain will offer more than just another chapter in the championship fight - it could mark the beginning of a shift in power inside one of F1’s most iconic teams.
