
Could Charles Leclerc remain at Ferrari simply due to a lack of offers from other teams? A former F1 driver believes that while the Monegasque has proven to be fast, this alone might not be enough to attract interest from rival teams.
The Maranello-based Scuderia signed Leclerc in 2019, and since then the driver has never switched teams. For the Monegasque, Ferrari has not been an easy journey, with seven seasons in which he never had the opportunity to compete for the title. This could discourage other teams from making offers should he consider a change.
Following recent statements by John Elkann, Ferrari has been at the center of controversy. The Scuderia is not in a period of calm, facing the proclaimed disappointment of 2025 and the high expectations surrounding the upcoming regulation changes. Much will depend on the competitiveness of the 678 project, where Loic Serra is reportedly introducing significant innovations, particularly concerning the suspension system. Charles Leclerc’s contract is set to expire in 2029, with a potential early exit tied to on-track results. Leaving Maranello, however, may not be straightforward according to Jacques Villeneuve. Here are his comments to BetVictorCasino.
Villeneuve: “In the eyes of other teams…”
“Ferrari is Charles Leclerc’s home. He has been racing there since 2019 and has essentially spent his entire junior career as a Ferrari-affiliated driver. He still needs to prove that he can win a championship. He has shown speed, but he must demonstrate that he can win titles. Perhaps he did not have the car to achieve it, but in the eyes of other teams, this question mark will always remain. Over the years, other teams have gradually chosen to focus on other drivers. I believe that two to three years ago, Leclerc had more market value than he does now.”
The words of the former Canadian champion are, of course, debatable. The only reason Leclerc has not yet won a world championship is that Ferrari has never provided him with a car capable of competing for the full season. The Monegasque is reported to have had preliminary contacts with Aston Martin, Mercedes, and McLaren. Nothing serious yet, but it is wise to explore future opportunities and keep doors open. A driver like Charles is in demand everywhere, especially since he has consistently appeared to be the only one able to match Max Verstappen. Interest in him would certainly be very high if the #16 declared himself open to joining another team.






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