The latest disappointment at the Singapore Grand Prix has reignited rumours about possible internal shake-ups at Ferrari. Beyond the alleged friction within the team, the continuous setbacks suffered by the Scuderia could push Charles Leclerc to start evaluating other options for 2027. These rumours seem to have gained strength following the recent words of his manager, Nicolas Todt.
A long partnership tested by disappointment
Charles Leclerc’s partnership with Ferrari dates back to 2019 in Formula 1, not counting his earlier years as part of the Ferrari Driver Academy. From his very first races with the team, the Monegasque driver proved he had the natural talent and determination to become one of the best of his generation, standing alongside Max Verstappen and other leading figures like George Russell.
However, unlike Max Verstappen or his rivals at McLaren, Charles Leclerc has never had a car capable of truly allowing him to fight for what every Formula 1 driver dreams of—the World Drivers’ Championship. Only in 2022 did he come close, and even then, it was only during the early stages of the season before Ferrari fell behind the frontrunners with a car that could no longer compete for victories.
This year was expected to mark a turning point, but the reality has been far from that. The new car from Maranello, initially presented as a strong contender, has instead turned out to be one of the weakest in recent seasons. That situation is now raising questions about Charles Leclerc’s future with the Scuderia: how much longer will he be willing to endure this?
Looking ahead to 2027
According to several reports, Charles Leclerc’s management team is already preparing for what might come next. If Ferrari fails to get its 2026 project right—when Formula 1 will introduce new power unit regulations—conversations are said to have already started with McLaren, Mercedes, and Aston Martin about potential opportunities from 2027 onwards.
Nicolas Todt, Charles Leclerc’s long-time manager, appeared to confirm that the driver is entering a decisive phase in his career. Speaking to The Straits Times, the Frenchman said, “Charles is one of the best talents of his generation, alongside Max (Verstappen) and a few other drivers. He’s no longer a kid, because he has already raced many seasons with Ferrari and, of course, I think we still need a winning car.”
Todt continued, “Today we have a good car, but not good enough to win the title. We hope that will change, and we hope next year Ferrari will have a very strong car under the new regulations.”
Uncertainty over Ferrari’s future plans
Leclerc’s future remains one of the most discussed topics in the Formula 1 paddock. His commitment to Ferrari is unquestionable, but the driver’s patience may be reaching its limits as the team continues to fall short of expectations. After years of unfulfilled promises and missed opportunities, both driver and team are facing a crucial crossroad.
Meanwhile, in case such a dramatic separation between Charles Leclerc and Ferrari were ever to take place, early reports suggest that the Italian team already has a name in mind to replace the Monegasque driver—though for now, it remains a closely guarded secret inside Maranello.
Leave a Reply