Lewis Hamilton has warned Ferrari against curbing Charles Leclerc’s enthusiasm to fight for the world title - having endured a tough F1 breakthrough of his own.
Leclerc has impressed in his debut campaign with the famous Italian team, but is seemingly being held back by controversial intra-team politics.
Ferrari have so far favoured four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, with Leclerc subjected to three team orders in as many races this season.
Hamilton knows how the 21-year-old feels, having exploded on the scene in 2007 when he partnered two-time world champion Fernando Alonso in his debut season with McLaren.
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The Brit narrowly missed out on the title that season, having been given the tools to show his prowess, but he is worried Leclerc won't be given the same chance.
Speaking ahead of the Azerbaijan GP this weekend, Hamilton said: "There are a couple of scenarios in F1 where multiple world champions demand the No.1 position, and therefore you become a No.2 and play a supporting role.
"It goes against your core values because you are a racing driver at heart.
"That is why I understand how Charles feels because in his heart he believes he is the best, or at least got the potential to be the best.
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"It is like having your light dimmed. As a racer, and a fierce competitor, you naturally rebel. They might say to do one thing, but the fight in you wants to push the other way. I have experienced that."
Ferrari's most recent decision to implement team orders in China courted much controversy, given Vettel was unable to take the fight to Mercedes.
That Shanghai showdown was another gut-wrenching day for Leclerc, who was en route to winning the previous race in Bahrain before engine woes cruelly denied him a maiden triumph.
And Hamilton, who leads the title race after back-to-back victories, says Leclerc reminds him of himself in his own debut season in F1.
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”I wanted to get to F1 as soon as possible," he added, "and when I was there I wanted to win as soon as possible, and beat the champion that I was racing against.
"The situation with Charles is very similar. I see much of myself in him. He is doing a great job with huge expectations on him at a huge team like Ferrari.
“He is driving so well, so he has to keep doing what he is doing. It will come to him."
Asked if Ferrari’s approach is the right one, the five-time world champ replied: "I don't have to run the team, so it doesn't make any difference to me. I am fighting both of them."
