Charles Leclerc has been named as the fastest ꦅF1 driver over a single lap by Karun Chandh🌃ok.

The Ferrari driver claimed five pole positions last season although he couldn’t repeat hi൩s three grands prix victories from 2022 due to Red Bull’s dominance.

Leclerc will become the teammate of Lewis Hamilton when the ✅Mercedes star switches ꩲto Ferrari next year.

And embracing Leclerc๊’s speed is testament to Hamil💃ton’s motivation to keep fighting at the front of F1, Sky Sports experts believe.

“For me, it’s a sign🍰 that he s⭕till has fire in his belly,” Karun Chandhok said on the Sky F1 show.

“He’s about to start his 18th season in Formula 1. That’s 18 years where he is spending 300 days livin▨g out of a suitcase, at events, testing…

“It’s a tough mental load to take, especially when you’re at the sharp end, the p🤪innacle. The pressure he’s under…

“To still have that dedication? For💝 him to still have that fire to take on a young charger like Leclerc?

“I’ve said before and people have disagreed with me, but I think Leclerc is the fastest driver over oneꦚ lap in F1.

“To take that cha🌼llenge on, at this age, is ꦿvery impressive.”

Leclerc was tied down by Ferrari to a new big-money and multi-year contract before Hamilton’s bombshell sw🍒itch was confirmed.

Leclerc’s renewal was priorit🍎ised above Carlos Sainz - who was the only non-Red Bull driver to win a grand prix last year - and who was ultimately axed in favour of Hamilton.

Damon Hill said about Hamilton arriving at Ferrari when he will be 40 years old: “Lewis studied other athletes. Tom Brady and Kell😼y Slater who carried on their careers into their 40s.

“Lew🅠is sees beyond normal limits. He always has done. He will be motivated.

“He has organised his life so that he ღcan give his best. Not putting himself under stress by doing marketing stuff. He does what he wants. Then he turns up and races.

“I think he’s got quite a few ye🔯ars left of being competitive.”

Martin Brundle൲ added: “You lose the need, you don’t lose the sp♛eed.

“There are two exceptions - Fernando Al🦂onso and Lewis Hamilton - that we see at the moment.

“Somehow th💖ey find this motivation and energy t♐o keep driving forwards.”