Charles Leclerc’s future at Ferrari is in doubt again, with reports that Aston Martin are keeping a close eye on the situation.
The Monegasque driver hasn’t hidden his frustration over Ferrari’s struggles. While he’s still one of the grid’s best qualifiers, he hasn’t come close to challenging for a title.
Leclerc finished the year fourth in the standings, picking up all seven of Ferrari’s podiums, while Lewis Hamilton went without one for the first time in his career. Both drivers are said to be pushing for big changes under the new regulations coming next season.
If things don’t improve, both could be looking at their options.
Leclerc has an exit clause in his contract that runs until 2029, and rumours have already linked him with several teams for 2027.
Aston Martin are among those interested. Fernando Alonso’s deal ends after next season, and bringing in someone like Leclerc would be a clear statement of intent from Adrian Newey and co.
Adrian Newey Believes Charles Leclerc Is the Right Fit for His Aston Martin Car
Adrian Newey, who will be taking on the role of team principal at Aston Martin in 2026, is focused on bringing the team forward under the new set of regulations. There is a feeling that adding Leclerc to their lineup could be a significant step towards making that happen.
Aston Martin see Leclerc as someone who could become a central figure in their long-term plans. Newey, who has always appreciated drivers with strong technical feedback, is reportedly interested in how well Leclerc’s approach matches what he wants from his cars.
“Well, there’s Aston Martin,” he said via F1-Insider. “I emphasise at the moment that he is one of the top drivers that you really need to have and I think Aston Martin knows that too above all.
“Because I’ve heard through the grapevine that Newey, the opinion is that Leclerc’s driving style is most suited to Newey’s car, which he has always built around Verstappen at Red Bull in recent years and that was fastest when the driver could handle it.
“So I think Leclerc is very highly regarded by Adrian Newey, just based on his driving style, which is said to be most similar to Max Verstappen’s.
“That could play a huge role now for a designer like that. Otherwise, Leclerc can also blow it. As said, like Russell, he is also back on the test bench.
“He has won twice against Hamilton now, but he has to do it again. If Hamilton turns it around now, Hamilton can extend his career as a result.”
Has Ferrari Done Enough to Convince Leclerc to Stay Beyond 2026?
Aston Martin could move early on Lance Stroll’s contract, clearing the path for Leclerc to join Newey’s setup. But before making any decisions, he’ll want to see how Ferrari performs under the new rules.
Ferrari has started taking Leclerc and Hamilton’s feedback more seriously, with the SF-26 designed to be a more predictable car. Both drivers struggled with the 2025 model after Fred Vasseur’s focus on a new suspension concept didn’t deliver as hoped.
The team is also considering an aggressive recruitment push, looking to add top engineering talent in a bid to convince Leclerc that staying is his best option.
But reports from Ralf Schumacher suggest there may be fresh problems brewing at Maranello ahead of the 2026 season. Another year spent outside of title contention might be more than Leclerc is willing to tolerate.
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