Dec.12 (GMM) Despite being under contract at Ferrari until 2029, fresh rumours suggest Charles Leclerc could be in play on the driver market as early as next season.
According to Austria’s Osterreich, well-connected Italian insider Giuliano Duchessa claims Leclerc will be allowed to “assess his options” after the opening phase of the 2026 championship.
McLaren is apparently particularly interested, while Aston Martin is also believed to be monitoring the situation.
It fits the current paddock mood, with Oscar Piastri and Mark Webber privately frustrated at McLaren’s growing leaning towards newly crowned champion Lando Norris – while teams eye the 2026 rules reset as the start of a fresh competitive cycle.
Leclerc himself hinted in Abu Dhabi that next year will determine his long-term path.
“Next year will be decisive,” he said. “Honestly, I think the whole team is very motivated because it’s a huge change, a great opportunity to show what Ferrari is capable of.”
After decisively outperforming Lewis Hamilton in their troubled first season together, Leclerc ends 2025 with strong leverage – and with the confidence that Ferrari must deliver immediately in the 2026 era.
“I really hope we start this new era on the right foot, because yes, it’s important for the next four years. By the sixth or seventh race, I think we’ll have a good idea of which teams will dominate for the next four years,” he said.
Publicly, Leclerc continues to present himself as committed to Ferrari. “Do I believe I’ll be champion with Ferrari? Yes,” he admitted.
“But it’s now or never. So I really hope we start the new cycle on the right foot.”
Even his manager, Nicolas Todt, recently indicated that the 2026 start will be decisive for Leclerc’s long-term future.