F1 LIVE | Hamilton's Ferrari clause and did he underestimate Leclerc?
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Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari contract clause
Lewis Hamilton has lagged behind his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc for much of his first season with the Scuderia.
He won the Sprint earlier this season in China, but hasn't scored a podium finish in a Grand Prix, while Leclerc has stood on the rostrum on five occasions.
Hamilton joined the Italian team from Mercedes, and there was a lot of anticipation surrounding the move, but Ferrari hasn't been able to match pacesetters McLaren.
Hamilton has had some more competitive races, such as two successive fourth-place finishes in Austria and his home race at Silverstone. Despite this, the seven-time world champion sits behind Leclerc in the standings.
An Italian newspaper wrote in its story that the seven-time world champion has a special clause in his contract, referring to it as 'controversial'.
Hamilton signed a multi-year contract that lasts until the end of 2026. That also includes an option to extend for 2027.
Has Hamilton underestimated Leclerc?
The Italian team is yet to win a race this season amid struggles with the rear suspension, while McLaren is setting the pace in 2025.
Italian journalist Leo Turrini feels Hamilton may have misjudged Leclerc's talent. He said: "In all honesty, Lewis underestimated Charles," he shared via his blog Profondo Rosso.
"He bought into the narrative that Charles wasn’t better than Sainz and all that talk. When he realised his mistake, coinciding with having a rather modest car, his mindset took a hit. But it’s up to him now to climb out of that hole."
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