Hamilton warned over threat posed by Leclerc at Ferrari

The seven-time champion stunned F1 on February 1st with the announcement that he would be departing Mercedes at the end of 2024 on a multi-year contract for Ferrari.

He had been long-tipped to make the move, but had always rejected the Scuderia's advances, but wanted to fulfill a "childhood dream" in racing for Ferrari - where will be partnered with Charles Leclerc.

Leclerc is one of the leading drivers of the generation after Hamilton, and former F1 driver Hans-Joachim Stuck believes the Monegasque poses a threat to Hamilton, especially if he beats the Briton.

Hamilton warning

"Suppose Leclerc beats Hamilton, then that would be a bad end to his career," Stuck told the German Eurosport.

"I was surprised by the news and was reminded that several other greats have already tried that. Hamilton has a special personality, but whether he can handle the Ferrari system is something I am curious about.

"Everything works there just a little bit differently. Now he has to subordinate himself and he is certainly not used to that.

"If you drove for Ferrari, you will go down in history, even more so than if you were to become world champion seven times elsewhere.

"The Scuderia works differently than, for example, Red Bull or Mercedes. You are not the big personality there that you can be with other racing teams. Ferrari is Italy.

"The press is completely different, they pick up every little thing, there are no secrets. will be a completely new experience for Hamilton.

"Compared to Leclerc, Hamilton is no longer the youngest and we have seen this story before.

"A driver changes teams, then a younger driver comes along to challenge him. Of course, Hamilton can win his eighth title, but he can also lose a lot.

"If he wins his eighth title there, that would be a great story, but there is still a long and especially difficult road to go."