Hamilton vs. Leclerc: The Thrill of Data in Formula 1

Hamilton vs. Leclerc: The Thrill of Data in Formula 1

If you’re anything like me and love F1, you know this 2025 season is about to be wild. And if you don’t, well—most of the buzz is about two particular gentlemen becoming teammates at a little old place called Ferrari. Ever heard of them?

As the engines fired up for the new season, I couldn’t help but think back to when I was very young and first attended a Grand Prix. I always had a fascination with the sport after being introduced to Michael Schumacher, my father’s favorite driver. The legacy of F1 legends like Ayrton Senna and Schumacher always sat in my head—a reminder of both the brilliance and the ever-present danger of this sport. Every lap, every overtake, every split-second decision could mean glory or disaster.

Over the years, my passion for F1 only grew, leading me to dive deep into race analysis and driver performances. During one of those deep dives, I found myself particularly drawn to the dynamic between Charles Leclerc and the legendary Lewis Hamilton. Now, with the two sharing a garage at Ferrari, their partnership—or rivalry—could define the 2025 season.

Why THIS Project?

My love for F1 and the statistics behind it inspired me to dive deeper into a comparison between Leclerc and Hamilton. As a dedicated fan, I wanted to explore how this rising star measured up against a seven-time world champion. It was a unique opportunity to blend my passion with data analysis, and I couldn't resist the chance to assess their performances side by side.

What Readers Will Gain

In this article, you'll get a clear picture of how Charles Leclerc has evolved as a driver since joining F1 in 2018 and how he compares to Lewis Hamilton. I chose to analyze the 2018-2024 seasons because it provides the best direct comparison—covering Leclerc’s entire F1 career while ensuring both drivers were competing on the grid during the same period. You’ll discover key statistics that highlight their performances, and I'll share insights into what these numbers might mean for the future of both drivers.

Key Takeaways

• Charles Leclerc has significantly improved since 2018 and even outscored Hamilton in 2024.
• Hamilton still leads in overall podium finishes and wins, showcasing his experience and consistency.
• The upcoming 2025 season, where both drivers will be teammates, promises to be a pivotal moment in their rivalry. As you can see from the graphs how close they are in many pivotal metrics.

Dataset Details

To conduct this analysis, I created my own dataset from scratch, pulling information directly from the official F1 website. I spent hours compiling over 15 columns and 50 rows of key performance metrics, including race positions, points, and finishes for both drivers since 2018. This data was essential as it provided a solid foundation to compare the two athletes.

Analysis Process

The analysis began with data cleaning and transformation in Excel. I organized the data to focus on comparisons of race finishes, points earned, and average grid positions. Visualizations were then created, including bar charts and line graphs, to illustrate the differences in performance. I was surprised to see how closely Leclerc's statistics compared to Hamilton's, especially considering Hamilton's illustrious career. It highlighted just how far Leclerc has come in a relatively short span.

Visuals and Insights

This chart highlights the win and podium percentages for Hamilton and Leclerc from 2018 to 2024. While Hamilton’s experience gives him the edge in podium finishes, Leclerc’s 29% podium conversion—despite never racing for a championship-winning team—speaks volumes about his talent.

Here, we see the total points earned by each driver over the years. Leclerc's growth is particularly impressive in 2024, where he outscored Hamilton, hinting at his potential as a competitor, as well as Ferrari showing prowess again.

The line chart highlights that Hamilton has consistently started from a better grid position than Leclerc, meaning Leclerc has often had to fight through the field. However, by 2024, the gap in race results has narrowed, suggesting that Leclerc has been able to capitalize on race-day opportunities, despite Ferrari’s struggles in seasons like 2023.

Main Takeaways

• The comparison between Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton illustrates significant growth for Leclerc, who has been closing the performance gap since entering F1.
• Hamilton still maintains a stronger record in terms of wins and podiums, showing the consistency that has defined his career.
• As both drivers prepare to share a car in 2025, the implications of their rivalry could redefine their legacies in F1 now being on the same team.

Conclusion and Personal Reflections

Working on this project has not only deepened my understanding of the data behind F1 but also highlighted the incredible talent that exists in the sport today. Facing challenges in data collection and analysis pushed me to think creatively and critically, and seeing the surprising similarities between Leclerc and Hamilton was a rewarding experience. This journey has only fueled my excitement for the upcoming F1 seasons and the potential matchups ahead.

Call To Action

I hope you enjoyed this analysis as much as I enjoyed creating it! Feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn or leave a comment with your thoughts or questions. If you or someone you know is looking to hire a data analyst, let’s chat!