Charles Leclerc is in his seventh season with Ferrari in 2025. Despite the high expectations, the Monegasque driver looks set to miss out on the championship once again.
The 27-year-old has not been able to find that final level of performance to challenge for a title, finishing second in 2022 and third in 2024. Heading into 2025, Ferrari were backed for championship success, pairing Leclerc with the legendary Lewis Hamilton.
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Leclerc has since described Hamilton as the GOAT of F1 after ten races as teammates. However, those races have brought little success for Ferrari.
The team have struggled to keep up with the frontrunners, having only scored three podiums thus far in 2025 through Leclerc. The Monegasque driver certainly would have expected more from Ferrari, considering they were 14 points behind McLaren in the constructors’ championship in 2024.
Now, the Maranello outfit’s title chances are all but over, with Leclerc being 94 points behind championship leader Piastri and Hamilton a further 25 points behind. Leclerc is ‘stunned’ by Ferrari’s mentality as it seems that everyone in the team has given up on the 2025 title.
Ferrari are already 191 points behind McLaren heading into the Austrian Grand Prix. Their poor performance has put several key figures’ futures at the team, including Leclerc, into question.
Charles Leclerc says it’s ‘very possible’ he could retire as a Ferrari driver
Team principal Fred Vasseur is under increasing pressure as Ferrari struggle to find performance in 2025. Team boss John Elkann has stayed silent on the situation, leaving Vasseur’s future hanging in the balance.
Ferrari’s poor form has even sparked rumours that they could lose one of their star drivers. Leclerc’s ‘inner circle’ has suggested he could leave the team, with Mercedes emerging as a potential destination. Both Mercedes seats are set to be available for 2026.
However, speaking to The Times in Austria, Leclerc said it is ‘very possible’ he could follow in the footsteps of Michael Schumacher and finish his career at Ferrari. Schumacher retired with the Scuderia in 2006 before briefly returning with Mercedes in 2010.
“I am, of course [committed as ever],” Leclerc said. “My contract is still very much there for quite a few years. I’ve always said how much I love this team, and at the moment my only obsession is to try and bring Ferrari back to the top. That’s with Fred and Lewis.
“At the moment I don’t see myself anywhere else other than Ferrari. It is very possible that this would be the case for me [to end his career there].”
Leclerc’s initial commitment to the project clearly remains. But with the 27-year-old already under contract until the end of 2029, the pressure is on Ferrari to improve both his situation — and that of the team — before frustration sets in.
Ferrari must improve to keep Charles Leclerc committed
Ferrari are already planning on doing everything they can to keep Leclerc, especially with Mercedes showing interest. The team and Leclerc have a strong relationship, but ongoing struggles are forcing the driver to rethink his future.
Leclerc has been dealing with an ‘extreme’ floor plank issue that’s cost him up to 15 seconds per race this year. On top of that, there are growing concerns about whether Ferrari’s 2026 power unit will be up to standard.
Realistically, it’s going to be difficult to see Leclerc walking away in the near future, but four years is a long time in the world of Formula One.
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