Leclerc dismisses the pressure from Hamilton as Ferrari's performance evolves.

      Charles Leclerc has dismissed claims that Lewis Hamilton is transforming Ferrari into ‘his’ team following the seven-time world champion’s significant win in Barcelona.

      Hamilton's recent resurgence, along with Leclerc's recent accidents, has led to speculation that the Monegasque may risk becoming a secondary driver alongside his illustrious teammate. However, during a statement at the Red Bull Ring, Leclerc emphasized that Ferrari still caters to his preferences.

      "I don’t feel particularly stressed," he remarked. "The past few races haven't been enjoyable. I didn’t feel at ease in the car in Montreal and Monte Carlo, which affected my confidence. Additionally, the retirements in Monaco and Spain contributed to the loss of points."

      Leclerc noted that his confidence returned in Barcelona, despite a brake issue that halted his race. "We have a winning car again, and if I do my part, then I can secure a win once more."

      He also refuted paddock chatter suggesting that the 2026 Ferrari now favors Hamilton’s driving style. "That’s not true," Leclerc stated. "We have a lot of flexibility with the setup on the new cars, and I'm not limited in any manner. I don’t have a fundamental issue with the car – things were going well at the beginning of the year. I felt more comfortable in Barcelona, and I also enjoy the Red Bull Ring. I'm not focused on the fact that my last victory was some time ago. I know the Ferrari is a winning car again. Lewis has demonstrated that. Now it’s my turn."

      Former F1 driver Christian Klien believes that Hamilton’s enhanced relationship with his race engineer has contributed to his improved performance. "It seems to me that he is significantly happier with his new race engineer and that this generation of cars suits him better," the Austrian commented to Servus TV. "The driver now has more freedom to utilize his driving style. And if his pace is comparable to Charles Leclerc's, his input and preferences will carry more weight within the team."

      Nonetheless, Klien does not think Leclerc should be underestimated. "Leclerc will bounce back; I’m not concerned about that. He is capable of matching Hamilton’s speed!"

      In the meantime, Hamilton shared new details about the neck injury he sustained after a serious crash early last season. "It’s a private matter, but last year I had a significant impact with the wall during practice, and a cervical disc popped out, pressing on a nerve," he explained. "I couldn’t do much for approximately nine weeks. I struggled to sleep. I was taking painkillers and needed injections. I did everything I could to try and address it."

      The Brit also downplayed the criticism he faced during his challenging start with Ferrari, which has now transformed into widespread admiration. "It’s been astonishing to see how people have done a 180-degree turn and changed their opinions about what they previously said," Hamilton remarked. "The truth is, I don’t pay much attention to that."