Leclerc admits he once thought Verstappen was a “bad person”

Leclerc reveals how rivalry with Verstappen has changed

Charles Leclerc has offered a candid assessment of his relationship with Max Verstappen, admitting that the pair once held a far less favourable opinion of one another.

The Ferrari driver and his Dutch counterpart have been rivals since their karting days, when their battles were already marked by a fierce competitive edge. That tension carried into Formula 1, including the 2022 season, when Verstappen beat Leclerc to the Drivers’ Championship.

Verstappen has since added two more titles to his record and remains at the centre of speculation over his future. After being linked with Mercedes last year, the four-time champion has now been mentioned in connection with a potential move to McLaren. A recent prediction of a possible Verstappen-Mercedes reshuffle underlines the level of interest surrounding his next move.

A move to Ferrari would appear more complicated, given Leclerc’s long-term contract with the Scuderia and Lewis Hamilton’s improving form in the team’s second seat. Yet Leclerc said a future partnership with Verstappen would be far more manageable now than it might have been earlier in their careers.

“Our relationship has matured over the years,” Leclerc told Sky Italy. “I was convinced he was a bad person and he thought the same of me. But now, our relationship has changed.”

Mutual respect replaces old suspicion

Leclerc’s comments point to a relationship shaped by time and experience. Although the two drivers remain formidable competitors, the hostility that once defined their exchanges has given way to mutual respect.

That evolution would make the prospect of them sharing a garage a compelling one. Both drivers know the other’s ability, having raced against each other through multiple stages of their careers, but Leclerc insisted he would not be troubled by the possibility.

Hamilton remains the present priority

Leclerc has already shared a Ferrari line-up with several highly rated teammates, including Sebastian Vettel, Carlos Sainz and Hamilton. He said Verstappen’s arrival would therefore not concern him if it happened one day.

“He’s an exceptional driver who’s won four World Championships, but fortunately, I’ve had the opportunity to have some brilliant teammates,” Leclerc said. “Hamilton, Vettel, Sainz, so it wouldn’t worry me if it were to happen one day.”

He also highlighted the history between them, noting that they began racing together in 2010 and progressed through the karting categories side by side.

“It would also be a great story because we started out together in 2010 and raced through all the karting categories together,” he added. “Having him at Ferrari? Let’s just enjoy Lewis for now.”

Leclerc’s first victory in more than a year at Silverstone, combined with Ferrari’s stronger form, gives him hope of challenging Verstappen when Formula 1 returns to Holland in two weeks. For now, however, the focus remains on extracting the most from Ferrari’s current partnership.