Charles Leclerc Rules Out Ferrari Exit Despite Ongoing Struggles in F1 2025 Season
Charles Leclerc has made it clear that he has not considered leaving Ferrari, even as the team continues to navigate a challenging phase in its Formula 1 journey. While the Scuderia’s long-standing title drought, stretching back to 2008, shows little sign of ending in 2025, the Monegasque driver remains firmly committed to Maranello.
Now in his seventh season with Ferrari, Leclerc appears poised to endure yet another year of disappointment. After narrowly missing out on second place in the Constructors’ Championship to McLaren in a dramatic 2024 season finale, hopes had been high for a title push in the current campaign. The Monegasque had entered 2025 stating that Ferrari must focus on securing both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships—an ambition that now looks increasingly out of reach.
Despite outperforming his new team-mate, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc has found himself hampered by the underwhelming performance of the SF-25. Technical gremlins and inconsistent race pace have limited him to just three podium finishes across the first nine rounds. As a result, he trails current championship leader Oscar Piastri by a staggering 92 points, while Ferrari sits 197 points adrift of reigning champions McLaren in the Constructors’ standings.
The situation has prompted speculation about Charles Leclerc’s future, with former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner suggesting that the 26-year-old might benefit from a fresh environment. Steiner, who oversaw Charles Leclerc’s first-ever Formula 1 outing during a free practice session in 2016, recently stated on the Red Flags podcast that a new challenge could be the key to revitalizing the driver’s career. Drawing a parallel to Lewis Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes for Ferrari, Steiner implied that change can sometimes reignite a driver’s competitive edge. He pointed out that the Monegasque is not currently in a position to fight for the championship, and moving to another team could open up new opportunities.
However, Charles Leclerc has dismissed such speculation, reaffirming his allegiance to Ferrari and his belief in the team’s long-term vision. In a recent interview with L’Équipe, he emphasized that he has never entertained the idea of leaving Maranello. According to him, the notion of a transfer is out of the question, as he remains deeply invested in Ferrari’s ongoing project.
The Monegasque reiterated his full support for team principal Fred Vasseur, under whom he believes Ferrari can return to winning ways. He acknowledged that the current period is difficult and that doubts can naturally emerge in times of struggle. Nonetheless, he maintained that his desire is to achieve success with Ferrari, not elsewhere. As long as he continues to have faith in the team’s direction, he plans to remain a part of it.
He also stressed that he has consistently trusted Fred Vasseur’s leadership, describing him as the ideal figure to guide Ferrari back to the top of the Formula 1 hierarchy. Charles Leclerc expressed hope that, working together, they will eventually restore Ferrari to its former glory and reclaim its place as a championship-winning force.
While results on track have yet to align with those ambitions, Leclerc’s unwavering loyalty and belief in Ferrari’s potential suggest he is in it for the long haul—ready to face the challenges ahead in pursuit of long-awaited success.
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