F1 CEO warns Ferrari ahead of Hamilton-Leclerc partnership

Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has warned Ferrari ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc becoming team-mates next season.

Hamilton will depart Mercedes at the conclusion of the current campaign and join Leclerc at the Maranello-based team, in what is a blockbuster move. 

The seven-time world champion will present Leclerc with an interesting challenge, given his talent, experience and popularity. 

Ultimately, Hamilton wants to claim an eighth F1 drivers' title at Ferrari, with its former team principal noting that the outfit will need to make clear-cut decisions to avoid tension. 

"As a Ferrari enthusiast, it's an extraordinary opportunity because Lewis is a centraliser," Domenicali told La Gazzetta dello Sport. 

"He wants to bring home the eighth title and become the best ever. There will have to be respect with Charles, but it's clear that when you lower your visor... in any case, the team rules and management must be clear." 

Replacing Hamilton at Mercedes is, of course, 18-year-old Italian sensation Kimi Antonelli. 

There is a lot of excitement surrounding Antonelli, who is not the only rookie on next season's grid. Oliver Bearman and Jack Doohan will also be making the step-up to F1. 

Domenicali is enjoying seeing a sudden boost in young drivers and is eager to see different personalities on the grid. 

"The young drivers? There are many and what I like is that each one has his own personality," added the 59-year-old. 

"We are in a fortunate phase, the drivers are not a problem. The lifeblood of young people is fundamental for us, what F1 must do is to get out of its self-referentiality. 

"I want to see different faces and professionalism."