Leclerc wants 'fast' teammate: 'Lewis is an incredible driver'
F1 News
Although Lewis Hamilton denies that there has been any contact with Ferrari about a contract with the Italian team, the press conference ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix discussed a 'transfer' of the Briton. Charles Leclerc, currently turning out for Ferrari, was also talked about a possible new teammate.
The interviewer's question was put rather cryptically. Namely, the latter asked Leclerc: "What do you look for in a teammate?" At that, Leclerc looked to the right, where Hamilton was sitting at the time: "Hello, Lewis!", and the Monegasque laughed. "I mean, a fast teammate, as everybody. We are in Formula 1 and we love to be fighting against the best. But that's not to say that my teammate is not fast. Carlos is extremely fast driver. But yeah, considering that, I mean, I'm not the person who makes the choices."
'Everyone wants Lewis as a teammate'
Then the asked if Leclerc would welcome Hamilton as a teammate: "If I say 'yes', I imagine it being the title of every newspaper. But I mean, Lewis is such an incredible driver, has achieved so much in the sport. So I think anybody on the grid will love to have Lewis as a teammate, as everybody will learn a lot from him. But yeah, again, I'm happy where I am and with Carlos. It's a great relationship too."
If Hamilton had switched to Ferrari, Leclerc might have been a candidate at Mercedes. Stories also emerged around the Monegasque this week, including about a possible contract extension with Ferrari: "No talks have started about my extension. I speak regularly with John (Elkann) about the season and the vision for the future. But not yet about my contract. There is still 1.5 years until the end of my contract, so we still have a lot of time."