Three F1 Teams Sound Out Charles Leclerc Amid Ferrari Struggles

Charles Leclerc’s future at Ferrari has come under fresh speculation, with a new report claiming that his management has held preliminary talks with three rival Formula 1 teams.

Leclerc, who joined Ferrari in 2019 and won twice in his debut season, signed a contract extension at the start of 2024 that ties him to Maranello through the 2026 campaign. Next year will mark his eighth season with the Scuderia, but persistent underperformance in 2025 has reportedly prompted his camp to explore alternatives.

Ferrari’s season began on the back foot when both Leclerc and teammate Lewis Hamilton were disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix due to excessive skid block wear caused by a flawed floor design. The team was forced to raise the ride height, compromising performance. Despite a series of upgrades, Ferrari have rarely been in contention for victories, with Hamilton and Leclerc finishing only eighth and ninth at the most recent race in Azerbaijan.

Frustration boiled over in Baku when confusion about a late-race position swap led Leclerc to remark over team radio: “Ah, I don’t really care. It’s for an eighth place … he can enjoy that P8.”

According to Italian outlet RMCMotori, Leclerc’s long-time manager Nicholas Todt, son of former Ferrari boss and FIA president Jean Todt, has begun exploring possible options should Ferrari fail to return to regular podium contention next year.

The report claims Todt was seen meeting McLaren team principal Andrea Stella at Monza, as well as holding conversations with Aston Martin’s Lawrence Stroll and Mercedes chief Toto Wolff. The nature of those discussions remains unclear, with no confirmation of formal negotiations.

Leclerc enjoyed a stronger campaign in 2024, winning three races and finishing third in the Drivers’ Championship, but this season’s downturn has raised questions about Ferrari’s ability to match his ambitions. With sweeping new engine and power unit regulations arriving in 2026, both driver and team face a crucial crossroads.

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