Leclerc provided assertive advice to overcome Hamilton threat

Former F1 team owner Eddie Jordan has highlighted the importance of the early races in the season for Charles Leclerc in his head-to-head fight with Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton is preparing for his maiden campaign in Ferrari colours this year having made the seismic switch from Mercedes.

While Hamilton adjusts to his new environment, Leclerc is entering his seventh year at the Italian squad, having been associated with the team for almost a decade.

Jordan believes it will take Hamilton a handful of races to get up to speed, which Leclerc can use to get an early lead over the seven-time champion.

"Leclerc is there now seven years, he knows everybody,” Jordan said on the Formula For Success podcast. 

“He knows all the people and what to say, the language.

“He’s the darling of Maranello. However, he will be surprised. I think he had a certain way with him over Sainz.

“Lewis, I think he will hit the ground running - well, I don’t want to say hit the ground running, I think it will take him two or three races.

“I would urge Leclerc to get on his bike at the early stage because that’s when Leclerc is going to show certain amounts of dominance.”

Hamilton received a major welcome at Maranello last month with thousands of fans flocking to the side of the track to witness his first laps around the Fiorano track.

As the season progresses, Jordan sees Hamilton getting more comfortable in the Ferrari environment that has largely backed Leclerc across the last handful of seasons.

“As the season unfolds, as the people show more and more love for him [Hamilton], particularly the Italian fraternity, the Tifosi but also the country, because this is a national team, I really think Lewis wants to, and will embrace the love that it projects.”