Ex-F1 driver Juan Pablo Montoya argues that Charles Leclerc now has a unique opportunity to examine the championship‑winning attributes that Lewis Hamilton displayed after securing his maiden victory with Ferrari at the Barcelona‑Catalunya Grand Prix.
Hamilton broke his winless streak and captured his first Grand Prix victory with Ferrari during a dramatic Barcelona‑Catalunya race. The seven‑time world champion employed a three‑stop strategy, seizing a timely virtual safety car to claim his 106th career win.
In contrast, Leclerc’s weekend was marred by misfortune; the Monegasque driver crashed during qualifying and later retired from the race when his car lost power‑steering.
Speaking on F1 TV‘s post‑race analysis show, Montoya added: “This is a pivotal moment for Charles to study how Lewis drove the team forward and learn from his approach.”
While Leclerc is eager to outperform Hamilton and will likely do so in many future races, this encounter offers him a chance to understand the traits that have made Hamilton a seven‑time world champion.
Although Leclerc’s result in Barcelona fell short of expectations, he congratulated Hamilton during his post‑race interview on Sunday.
“I don’t wish to claim any credit for today,” Leclerc said. “I don’t believe I have contributed much to the team. I think Lewis and the team ultimately secured the victory on their own, and I wish I had been more forward to be more involved. However, it was not my fault.
“So a huge congratulations to Lewis, who has been at the pinnacle for some time and has been incredible, and a huge congratulations to the team as well.”
Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team
Photo by: Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images
