Hamilton tipped to destroy Leclerc's 'upper hand'

Juan Pablo Montoya believes Lewis Hamilton is "going to win everything" within a matter of rounds after joining Ferrari for the 2025 F1 season.

The ex-Williams and McLaren driver feels that whilst Charles Leclerc will initially enjoy the "upper hand", the seven-time drivers' champion will soon assert his dominance.

With the Monegasque driver widely viewed as the best qualifier on F1, it is anticipated that he will have the measure over Hamilton on one lap pace, but as the 39-year-old showed at the Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, he is still more than capable of storming through the pack during a race.

Upon starting at the Scuderia, the 105-time grand prix winner will immediately have goals to get stuck into. Ferrari narrowly missed out on the constructors' championship this term, which would have been the Italian team's first since 2008.

With Hamilton joining the Maranello squad, it is well positioned to end the drought, but the British driver will no doubt have title aspirations of his own, as he continues to chase the illusive eighth drivers' crown.

It is something Montoya clearly thinks is possible, if Ferrari can deliver a competitive car. Although, the 49-year-old does expect Hamilton to face short-term difficulties.

“Lewis is mature enough to appreciate that in the short-term he is going to struggle a little bit, learning the Ferrari thing," the seven-time grand prix winner told Instant Casino.

“Charles is going to feel like he's got the upper hand. But give it about six or seven races, and if the car is competitive, Lewis is going to win everything.”

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