From Union Jacks to Ferrari Red: The Fan Power Behind Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc

One is a seven-time world champion who has redefined what greatness looks like in Formula 1. The other is Ferrari’s modern-day hope, carrying the weight of the Scuderia’s history on his shoulders while chasing future glory. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc may be at different stages of their careers, but both share something powerful in common: fanbases that transform every Grand Prix into an unforgettable spectacle.

In 2024, Hamilton lit up Silverstone with an emotional record-breaking home victory, while Leclerc sent Monza into raptures with a triumph that reaffirmed his status as Ferrari’s leading man. Both moments captured the magic of Formula 1: history being made in front of fans who lived every lap alongside their heroes.

To witness them live is to experience not just the racing, but the passion, colour, and energy of the fans who follow them across the world.

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Ferrari fans at Monza

Lewis Hamilton – The Global Icon

Few drivers in F1 history inspire the same level of fan devotion as Lewis Hamilton. At his home race, the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, the atmosphere is electric with tens of thousands of Union Jacks waving whenever he takes the track. His unforgettable win at Silverstone in 2021, where he fought back after a dramatic clash with Max Verstappen, is etched into F1 history and showed exactly why being trackside matters.

But Hamilton’s huge following doesn’t stop in the UK. Across the globe, his victories have created unforgettable memories for so many fans – many could even credit him with the reason they began watching the sport. At the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Hamilton has taken multiple wins, including a decisive triumph in 2017 that helped him secure his fourth World Championship. The Texan crowd has since become one of his most vocal international fanbases, transforming the Circuit of the Americas into his second home.

Lewis Hamilton wins the Formula 1 British GP 2024 in his last home Grand Prix for Mercedes

Hamilton’s dominance at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix since the track’s debut in 2009 has also provided Middle Eastern fans with countless highlights, though they saw perhaps his darkest day on the last round of the 2021 season when he came out on the wrong end of a season-defining final lap battle with eventual champion, Max Verstappen – another example of the thrills of watching F1 live in the flesh.

Arguably the greatest F1 driver of all time, Hamilton’s appeal goes beyond his racecraft. He has become a cultural icon, admired for his activism, his leadership, and his ability to connect with fans from every corner of the world. Whether he’s chasing a record-breaking win or battling through the midfield, the roar that follows him around a circuit is something no broadcast can truly capture.

Charles Leclerc – Ferrari’s Golden Boy

Charles Leclerc, the proud Monegasque driver, has quickly become one of F1’s most popular stars. Growing up on the streets of Monte Carlo, winning the Monaco Grand Prix was his childhood dream. This finally came true in spectacular fashion in 2024, where he delivered an emotional home victory. For Leclerc, that was the realisation of a lifelong ambition, celebrated by fans who filled the Principality in Ferrari red.

Leclerc has also given Ferrari fans unforgettable moments on other legendary circuits. His victory at the 2019 Italian Grand Prix turned Monza into a sea of red, as the Tifosi erupted in one of the most passionate celebrations modern F1 has ever seen. That same year, his emotional triumph at Spa-Francorchamps, showed his resilience under immense pressure despite his relative infancy in F1 terms. Another standout performance came at the 2022 Austrian Grand Prix, where he went wheel-to-wheel with Max Verstappen and came out on top. Performances like these have cemented his reputation as a fearless racer who thrives under pressure.

Charles Leclerc at the 2023 Azerbaijan Grand Prix

So far in 2025, however, life at Ferrari has been far from easy for Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Both have faced the frustration of a car that has not consistently matched their talent, leaving them battling harder than expected for podiums. Yet hope is far from lost. Ferrari’s upgrades promise progress, and with two of the most skilled drivers on the grid behind the wheel, fans know it’s only a matter of time before moments of brilliance return. Being there when that breakthrough comes will be nothing short of unforgettable.

What makes Leclerc so magnetic is his emotion. He wears his heart on his sleeve, celebrating highs with joy and facing setbacks with honesty. Combined with Ferrari’s unmatched global following, every race Leclerc enters guarantees atmosphere in the grandstands.

Hamilton vs Leclerc: Head-to-Head

Beyond the fan passion and on-track drama, the numbers tell their own story. Here’s how Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc match up:

Head to Head Stats – All time

| Lewis Hamilton | Charles Leclerc
Age | 40 | 27
Height | 1.74m (5’8) | 1.80 (5’11)
F1 Debut | 2007 (Australia) | 2018 (Australia)
Teams | McLaren (2007-2012), Mercedes (2013-2024), Ferrari (2025-Present) | Sauber (2018), Ferrari (2019-Present)
World Championships | 7 (2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020) | 0
Career Wins | 105 | 8
Podiums | 202 | 48
Poles | 104 | 27
Best Championship Finish | 1st (7 times) | 2nd (2022)

Head to Head Stats – 2025 season (so far)

| Lewis Hamilton | Charles Leclerc
Grand Prix Wins | 0 | 0
Podiums | 0 | 5
Poles | 0 | 1
Best Finish | 4th (3 times) | 2nd (Monaco)
Total Points | 109 | 151

Numbers tell one side of the story, but F1 is about more than statistics. For many fans, Charles Leclerc is seen as a future World Champion, helped by his determination to bring Ferrari back to the top. His victories so far have offered glimpses of that potential, but with only eight wins from 27 pole positions, Leclerc needs to improve his Sunday performances to ensure he maximises his chances of one day becoming a World Champion.

On the other side of the garage, Lewis Hamilton brings the experience of seven world titles and nearly two decades at the very peak of the sport. For Leclerc, having Hamilton as a teammate is both a challenge and an opportunity to learn from one of the greatest ever. The way Hamilton manages pressure, maximises results in difficult cars, and inspires fans worldwide is a masterclass in racecraft, even if he has struggled in the past couple of seasons.

Together, they represent a fascinating balance of youth and experience, hope and legacy. For Ferrari supporters, the dream is that Hamilton’s proven championship pedigree combined with Leclerc’s hunger and speed will eventually deliver the titles the Scuderia has craved for so long.

The Atmosphere You Can’t Stream

Watching F1 on TV gives you the visuals and commentary, but it can’t capture the full intensity of a live race. At the track, the deafening roar of engines, the scent of burnt rubber and fuel hanging in the air create an experience like no other. It’s not labelled ‘The Greatest Show on Earth’ for no reason.

What makes being there unforgettable is the scale of it all. The anticipation building before lights out, the sight of teams working with precision in the pits, and the chance to witness history as it happens. A Grand Prix is a global event to be part of.

Tickets for 2025 & 2026 available

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Whether it’s your first or 50th, secure your spot now to experience the thrill live!