Charles Leclerc losing patience with Ferrari as frustration grows

Charles Leclerc burst into Formula 1 like a rocket. The driver impressed in his debut season with Alfa Romeo in 2018, immediately earning a seat at Ferrari.

Kimi Räikkönen stepped down to Alfa Romeo in the twilight of his career to make way for Leclerc, Ferrari’s new prodigy. He was expected to help deliver the team’s first constructors’ title since 2008.

Now, seven seasons later, that goal remains unfulfilled. In fact, Leclerc has only had one genuine opportunity — in 2022, to be precise.

Ferrari started strongly in Formula 1’s new era, until Max Verstappen and Red Bull lightened its car and seized the initiative.

A rule change concerning the car’s floor, introduced at the Belgian Grand Prix, also proved disastrous for Ferrari. But by then, the damage was done.

Through a combination of driver errors and strategic missteps, Verstappen had already built a lead he would never relinquish. Still, it was a valuable experience for the lightning-fast Leclerc.

Development

Until now, Leclerc has remained fairly composed about Ferrari needing time to return to the top. After 2022, there were significant changes in the team’s management structure — notably the arrival of team principal Fred Vasseur — and gradual progress became apparent.

To put things in perspective, Red Bull was dominant in 2023, but by the following year, McLaren, Ferrari and Mercedes all had something to show.

Leclerc won races in Monaco and Italy last season, thrilling the Tifosi in the process. Moreover, Ferrari battled McLaren for the constructors’ title until the final race — a fight it narrowly lost.

Still, it showed Ferrari had truly returned to the front, and with the driver pairing of Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, 2025 was supposed to bring ultimate success.

That, however, has not materialised. Ferrari has yet to win a single grand prix this season, managing only a minor success with a sprint race victory in China.

The SF-25 is nowhere near the pace of the dominant McLaren, and Ferrari has also failed to introduce effective updates. While Red Bull continued to develop successfully in recent races, Ferrari has remained stuck.

This was painfully evident in Singapore. Mercedes, Red Bull — or rather, Max Verstappen — and McLaren were all evenly matched, while Ferrari were competing for scraps.

Leclerc and Hamilton had to manage their brakes carefully in the early stages; in Hamilton’s case, the part actually failed.

Frustration

That in itself was frustrating, but what lingered was Leclerc’s evident disillusionment. He called himself a "passenger" in his own car and admitted ruefully that he does not expect further success in the remainder of 2025.

While the new regulations coming in 2026 may offer fresh opportunities for Ferrari, one gets the sense that Leclerc’s belief in this "dream team" is beginning to fade. Can he still realise his title ambitions with the iconic Italian team?

Leclerc may be approaching a crossroads. The Monegasque driver holds a long-term contract with Ferrari and remains committed to the team until 2026 — but it wouldn’t be surprising if he were quietly assessing his options.

If he fails to shine in red again next year, perhaps a move could be on the cards. Naturally, that would require an opening at one of the top teams.

For now, it’s clear that Leclerc’s patience is wearing thin. The 27-year-old sees contemporaries like Verstappen achieving enormous success, and he has shown that he, too, can be a genuine title contender.

Ferrari knows what it must do: provide Leclerc with a car capable of winning. If not, the Scuderia risks losing its star.