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, with Leclerc being partnered with Lewis Hamilton.
Leclerc says Hamilton is the GOAT of F1 after being his teammate in Maranello for 10 races. However, those Grand Prix 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.
Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Charles Leclerc says it’s ‘very possible’ that he could retire as a Ferrari driver
Team principal Fred Vasseur is at risk of losing his job as Ferrari struggle to find performance in 2025. Team boss John Elkann has refused to comment on the situation as the Frenchman faces increased pressure to stay with the team.
Ferrari’s poor form has even prompted speculation that they could lose one of their star drivers. Leclerc’s ‘inner circle’ says he could leave the team, with Mercedes being a potential option with both seats currently available for 2026.
Leclerc is contracted at Ferrari until 2029, the longest contract on the F1 grid. The team rate the Monegasque driver highly, and it seems like he wants to return that favour.
Speaking to The Times in Austria, Leclerc said it is ‘very possible’ that he could emulate Michael Schumacher and retire at Ferrari. The seven-time world champion called time on his career wearing the famous red colours in 2006, before briefly returning with Mercedes in 2010.
“I am, of course [committed as ever],” he 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].”
Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Ferrari have a lot of work to do to improve Charles Leclerc’s situation and convince him to stay
Ferrari ‘will do everything’ to convince Leclerc to stay amid interest from Mercedes. The two parties have a great relationship, but the Monegasque driver may be considering his options as question marks begin to raise about the Maranello outfit.
Leclerc is losing 15 seconds per race as he suffers from an ‘extreme’ floor plank problem. Furthermore, there are concerns about Ferrari’s 2026 power unit and whether it will be competitive.
Leclerc is realising his title hopes are fading at Ferrari, which may lead him to consider other options. Mercedes are set to have the fastest engine in 2026, making them a strong suitor for the 27-year-old if he decides to leave Maranello.
Ferrari’s current and future prospects look bleak as another title becomes increasingly unlikely. They must make serious improvements on and off the track if they are to deliver the championship that Leclerc is desperate for.
