Charles Leclerc’s decision to commit his long-term future to Ferrari has been widely praised throughout the Formula 1 world, but former Ferrari driver Felipe Massa believes the Scuderia still has important work to do before it can realistically deliver the championship success both sides are chasing.
Ferrari recently confirmed that Charles Leclerc had signed a fresh long-term agreement, reinforcing the Monegasque driver’s position at the centre of the team’s future plans. While the Scuderia has not disclosed the precise duration of the contract, multiple reports suggest the new deal could extend beyond 2030, making Charles Leclerc one of the few drivers currently tied to a Formula 1 team so far into the future.
The agreement represents another powerful demonstration of the trust that exists between Ferrari and the Monegasque, a relationship that has continued to strengthen despite several years without championship success.
However, according to Felipe Massa, commitment alone will not be enough.
Felipe Massa believes Ferrari still has unfinished business
Few people understand the unique pressures of driving for Ferrari better than Felipe Massa.
The Brazilian spent eight seasons racing for the Scuderia and came agonisingly close to securing the Formula 1 World Championship in 2008. Having experienced both the highs and frustrations of competing for Ferrari, he understands the challenge facing Charles Leclerc better than most former drivers.
Felipe Massa reportedly described the 28-year-old’s decision to remain with Ferrari as a positive move for both parties, highlighting the strength of the team and the quality of the driver.
At the same time, he suggested that Ferrari has yet to fully solve the issues that have prevented it from consistently competing for world titles in recent years.
The former Ferrari driver indicated that while Charles Leclerc possesses all the qualities required to become a Formula 1 World Champion, the team must still find the final element that separates regular podium contenders from genuine title winners. That observation reflects a reality many Ferrari supporters have recognised over the past decade.
Since Kimi Raikkonen secured Ferrari’s most recent Drivers’ Championship in 2007, the Italian team has repeatedly shown flashes of championship-winning potential without being able to sustain that level across an entire season.
Similarly, Ferrari has not lifted the Constructors’ Championship trophy since 2008 despite several periods of competitiveness.
Charles Leclerc continues to place his faith in Ferrari
The timing of Charles Leclerc’s new contract is particularly significant given the questions that surrounded his future over the past two seasons.
Despite being linked at various stages with several rival teams, Charles Leclerc ultimately chose to continue his journey with Ferrari rather than pursue opportunities elsewhere. The decision reinforces the belief that the Monegasque still sees Ferrari as the team most capable of helping him achieve his ultimate goal of becoming Formula 1 World Champion.
Financially, the new agreement reportedly rewards that loyalty. Various reports suggest Charles Leclerc’s revised contract includes a substantial salary increase, further underlining Ferrari’s desire to secure his services for the long term. Yet for a driver of Charles Leclerc’s calibre, championships are likely to remain the ultimate measure of success.
His decision to stay suggests confidence that Ferrari can eventually provide the machinery required to challenge consistently at the front.
Mercedes and Andrea Kimi Antonelli setting the benchmark
One reason Ferrari’s challenge remains so difficult is the extraordinary level currently being displayed by Mercedes.
The Silver Arrows have dominated the opening phase of the 2026 Formula 1 season, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli emerging as the sport’s biggest breakthrough star.
The young Italian has captured the attention of the paddock with a remarkable run of victories and mature performances that have transformed him into an early championship favourite. Felipe Massa reportedly expressed admiration for Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s achievements, noting that he had followed the Italian’s development from a young age and describing his rise as highly impressive.
Mercedes‘ dominance has inevitably complicated Ferrari’s title ambitions. While Charles Leclerc currently occupies third place in the Drivers’ Championship, he faces a substantial gap to the championship leader after the opening rounds of the campaign.
Nonetheless, Felipe Massa reportedly stressed that Formula 1 championships can change rapidly, pointing to previous seasons where early advantages were overturned as development races intensified throughout the year.
Lewis Hamilton adds another dimension to Ferrari’s project
Ferrari’s long-term optimism is not built solely around Charles Leclerc.
The presence of Lewis Hamilton gives the Scuderia additional reasons to believe that future success remains achievable. The seven-time world champion has looked increasingly competitive throughout 2026 and appears far more comfortable with the SF-26 than he did during his first season with the team.
Lewis Hamilton’s experience, technical knowledge and ability to guide development programmes are viewed as valuable assets as Ferrari attempts to reduce the gap to Mercedes. The combination of Lewis Hamilton’s expertise and Charles Leclerc’s speed provides Ferrari with one of the strongest driver pairings in Formula 1.
If the team can continue improving its package, many believe both drivers could become serious championship contenders in the coming years.
Charles Leclerc’s strongest start in years
Although Ferrari has yet to secure a Grand Prix victory this season, Charles Leclerc’s campaign has been more competitive than some headlines suggest.
The Monegasque has consistently scored points and remains firmly established among the leading drivers in the championship standings.
In fact, his points tally after the opening five races ranks among the strongest starts of his Formula 1 career. Only a handful of previous seasons have seen Charles Leclerc accumulate more points at the same stage of the championship. That statistic offers encouragement for Ferrari as it continues developing the SF-26 and awaits potential gains from future upgrades.
It also demonstrates that despite Mercedes’ current advantage, Charles Leclerc remains well positioned to capitalise if the competitive order begins to shift later in the season.
The challenge Ferrari must overcome
Ferrari’s recent history provides both optimism and caution.
In 2022, the team emerged as an early championship contender after adapting effectively to Formula 1’s new regulations. Charles Leclerc quickly established himself as a title favourite before development setbacks allowed Red Bull to seize control of the championship battle.
That experience remains a reminder that early-season form does not always determine the final outcome. For Felipe Massa, the objective now is straightforward.
Charles Leclerc has committed his future to Ferrari. Lewis Hamilton has brought championship-winning experience to Maranello. The team possesses two elite drivers and one of the strongest racing operations in Formula 1.
The only remaining question is whether Ferrari can finally discover the missing ingredient that transforms potential into championships. If it does, Charles Leclerc’s decision to build his future around Ferrari could ultimately be remembered as the defining choice of his career.
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