Leclerc reveals primary goal for Hamilton team-mate partnership

Charles Leclerc has asserted his desire to learn from Lewis Hamilton when the seven-time world champion joins Ferrari next year.

Hamilton announced earlier this season he will end his long-standing partnership with Mercedes at the conclusion of the ongoing campaign.

The Briton has signed to join Ferrari on a multi-year deal where he will partner Leclerc, who has raced with Ferrari since the 2019 campaign.

As he sets out to prove himself in a head-to-head battle against the sport's most successful driver, Leclerc detailed he is keen to take notes on Hamilton's qualities when he joins the Italian team.

“I need to be convinced that I am the fastest driver when I put the helmet on, but I am really looking forward to it, and it will be super-interesting for me,” he told BBC Sport.

“I have always said you learn from every single team-mate you have over your career. 

“When I look at the way he drives - because we always look at each other and data - you don't really see any weaknesses. And that's where Lewis is incredible. He's only got strengths.

“So I'm really looking forward to seeing how he works with his engineers, the feedback, and all of these kinds of things, to learn and become better.”

Vasseur 'helps' during difficult moments

Leclerc and Ferrari enjoyed a strong start to the current season and scored regular podiums at the beginning of the year.

Its form peaked at the Monaco Grand Prix, where Leclerc finally triumphed on home soil.

However, the team has faced a downward trajectory ever since and now appears to be the fourth fastest team in the pecking order.

As it endures a rough patch on the track, Leclerc has hailed the impact of team principal Frederic Vasseur.

"Fred has two very big strengths which are very important in F1 - and especially in a team like Ferrari, where the passion is so high that in very good moments there are lots of emotions, but there are also very big emotions whenever we are going through a tough time," stated Leclerc.

"In F1, you need to be as flat emotionally as possible and Fred is always a little bit the balance.

"Whenever we have very difficult moments, he helps the team to be back at a reasonable level and not be too disappointed. 

“And exactly the same when we win, to not be too high and bring us back down and tell everybody we've got to work because this is only one race."