Ferrari’s Hidden Pace in Melbourne? Hamilton Praises Leclerc as Norris Calls Out Sandbagging Ahead of 2025 F1 Opener
The 2025 Formula 1 season is set to ignite in Melbourne, and the paddock is already buzzing with speculation and revelations that could reshape expectations for the Australian Grand Prix. Lewis Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari has brought fresh dynamics to the team, with the seven-time world champion offering glowing insights into his new partnership with Charles Leclerc. Meanwhile, McLaren’s Lando Norris has stirred the pot by downplaying his team’s preseason hype and dropping a bombshell about Ferrari’s potential sandbagging during testing. As the season opener looms, the question on everyone’s mind is: who’s really got the upper hand?
Hamilton’s arrival at Ferrari after 12 years with Mercedes marks a seismic shift in the sport, pairing him with Leclerc, a driver widely regarded as a champion-in-waiting. Since joining Ferrari in 2019, Leclerc has cemented himself as the team’s cornerstone, earning adoration from the Tifosi with his blistering pace and consistency.
Hamilton, speaking ahead of the Melbourne Grand Prix, didn’t hold back in praising his new teammate, describing their partnership as one of the strongest driver lineups Ferrari has ever seen. Quoted by Motorsport.com, Hamilton highlighted Leclerc’s work ethic as particularly impressive: “Naturally, I think every driver works really hard, but everyone has a different method. It’s been really interesting to see—he’s not too dissimilar to mine. You just see a hardworking kid getting on with it.” Having observed Leclerc’s long tenure with Ferrari, Hamilton expressed excitement about their collaboration, noting how Leclerc has become “very much Mr. Ferrari.” For fans, this mutual respect sets the stage for a thrilling intra-team battle, with two generational talents poised to push each other—and the car—to new heights.
While Ferrari’s driver dynamic promises fireworks, the team’s true pace remains a mystery, thanks to comments from McLaren’s Lando Norris that have sent ripples through the F1 community. McLaren emerged from preseason testing in Bahrain as the apparent pacesetters, with Norris’s race simulation on day two raising eyebrows across the paddock. His long-run pace was reportedly a second quicker than Leclerc and Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, fueling speculation that McLaren could dominate the early races of 2025.
However, Norris has moved to temper expectations, hitting back at claims that his team holds a significant edge. Speaking to Sky F1, Norris explained, “I know there’s a lot of expectation… my race run made everyone believe this quite heavily. It was a good run, but it was also in the most perfect conditions. Oscar [Piastri] did a race run the next day that was a lot slower—not because he drove worse, but because the conditions were considerably slower.” He criticized the “shortsighted” conclusions drawn by observers, suggesting that the hype around McLaren might be premature.
But Norris didn’t stop there—he turned the spotlight onto Ferrari, hinting at a potential sandbagging strategy that could see them surprise everyone in Melbourne. “Other people looked extremely strong, including Red Bull, Mercedes, Ferrari,” Norris revealed. “I know how much fuel and stuff Ferrari had for a lot of the testing—you’d be surprised how quick they’re going to be this weekend.” His comments imply that Ferrari may have deliberately run with heavier fuel loads during testing, masking their true potential. If Norris’s intel is accurate, Ferrari could emerge as the team to beat at the Australian Grand Prix, catching rivals off guard in what’s already shaping up to be a fiercely competitive season. For McLaren, Norris emphasized a focused approach: “We keep to ourselves, we want to be quick, we expect to be up there fighting, but I definitely don’t think by the margin everyone is saying.”
As the F1 circus descends on Albert Park, the 2025 season opener promises to deliver more than just racing—it’s a battle of strategy, mind games, and raw talent. Will Ferrari’s alleged sandbagging translate into a shock victory, with Hamilton and Leclerc dominating from the get-go? Or will McLaren live up to the hype, even as Norris plays down their advantage? With Red Bull and Mercedes also in the mix, the Australian Grand Prix could set the tone for a championship fight unlike any we’ve seen in years. One thing is certain: Melbourne is about to witness a clash of titans, and the truth behind the preseason rumors will finally hit the track.
