Charles Leclerc is Ferrari’s golden talent, having joined the team in 2019 after one season at Sauber. But the Monegasque driver is not having the career that many expected him to have.
Replacing Kimi Raikkonen in 2019 and partnering with Sebastian Vettel, Leclerc quickly established himself as a competitive force within the team. Winning two races, he displayed his strengths over one lap and his ability to fight with the frontrunners.
He is still one of, if not the best, drivers in terms of qualifying performance, evidenced by Leclerc’s shock pole position in Budapest this season. But one common problem with the 27-year-old is converting his Saturday performance into race pace.
Of his 27 pole positions in his F1 career, Leclerc has converted five of those to wins. He has been determined to win a championship for Ferrari, but he has only finished second once – in 2022 to Max Verstappen.
Individual mistakes and operational errors have plagued the Monegasque driver. Frustrations have continued in 2025 as the search for his maiden championship wears on.
Charles Leclerc is ‘upset’ with his ‘modest’ win record since joining Ferrari
Ferrari have been bitterly disappointing in 2025, with the SF-25 proving to be a difficult car to get into the right operating window. Their issues with ride height and understeer have hampered Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton as they battle Mercedes for P2.
Leclerc is losing confidence in Ferrari and their ability to win a race in 2025. He has grabbed all five of the team’s podiums thus far, while Hamilton could surpass Raikkonen as the latest Ferrari driver not to score a podium in a season – that would be a first for his F1 career.
| Position | Constructors’ Standings | Points |
| 1 |
McLaren Racing |
623 |
| 2 |
Mercedes-AMG Petronas |
290 |
| 3 |
Scuderia Ferrari |
286 |
| 4 |
Red Bull Racing |
272 |
| 5 |
Williams F1 Team |
101 |
| 6 |
Racing Bulls |
72 |
| 7 |
Aston Martin F1 Team |
62 |
| 8 |
Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber |
55 |
| 9 |
Haas F1 Team |
44 |
| 10 |
Alpine F1 Team |
20 |
The Maranello outfit had hoped to take the fight to McLaren in 2025, having finished 14 points behind them last year. However, Ferrari’s title chances are all but over as they struggle to fight for regular podiums.
Leclerc’s wait to end the team’s championship drought, which has gone on since 2007, will drag into 2026 and the new technical regulations. He will be desperate to see improvements as he bemoans his career in Maranello.
A report from Blick states that Leclerc is ‘upset’ at Ferrari, due to his lack of success. His ambitions to fight for a world championship have resulted only in a ‘modest’ eight victories since joining the team from Sauber seven years ago.
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Could Charles Leclerc leave Ferrari amid interest from F1 rivals?
Leclerc is contracted until 2029 at Ferrari, giving him the longest contract on the grid. However, his future may not be that secure at Maranello.
Leclerc has exit clauses in his contract, which could allow him to leave as early as 2026. Teammate Hamilton could also be out the door next year if he chooses not to renew his contract for 2027.
It was reported that Leclerc’s ‘inner circle’ have admitted he could leave Ferrari, with Mercedes rumoured to be an option. The Silver Arrows are set to retain George Russell and Kimi Antonelli for 2026, but the lengths of their contracts are unknown at this stage.
Max Verstappen’s manager says Toto Wolff is speaking to Leclerc amid a possible move. Ferrari will do everything to keep Leclerc on board, but they will have to provide him with a competitive car in 2026 if he is to stay.