Hamilton and Leclerc show their chess skills
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, the Formula 1 drives now racing for the renowned Ferrari team, are both known to be chess enthusiasts, and over the past year, their interest in the game has become more visible.
Leclerc regularly posts photos and videos of his games, shares reflections about chess on social media, and has organised informal matches — for example, with former teammate Carlos Sainz. Hamilton too has shared anecdotes about playing chess, especially with Leclerc, and their banter about who is winning and moments of humour around their chess rivalry, suggest it’s something they enjoy outside the racetrack.
One story that gained attention was from a fan event ahead of the Bahrain Grand Prix, where Leclerc described how both he and Hamilton were “in bed… playing chess”, and clarified:
So we were in bed… playing chess. Not in the same bed, but he was in London and I was in Monaco, and we were playing chess.
Hamilton admitted that, in trying to catch up, he had used external help (a website suggesting moves) – which Leclerc also did – leading to a humorous admission that they were both “cheating” in that informal sense.
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc | Photo: AS Photography
In interviews, Leclerc has suggested that sharing his chess interest helps to popularize the game among his fans. Hamilton, meanwhile, seems to enjoy the process of problem-solving that chess demands, as well as the psychological aspects of competition that do not require physical exertion.
Shortly before the 2025 Azerbaijan (Baku) Grand Prix, both Hamilton and Leclerc met GM Teimour Radjabov – who played in three Candidates Tournaments and memorably won the 2019 World Cup. They participated in an activation event during the race week, in which Radjabov both observed and offered advice as Hamilton and Leclerc played against each other. Afterwards, the Ferrari drivers paired up to take on Radjabov.
During the meeting, Radjabov gifted the two drivers a chess-themed carpet, symbolising respect for the game and local culture.
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