Charles Leclerc's new year got off to an inauspicious start when a "technical problem" on a boat forced the cancellation of what would have been an extraordinary trip to Antarctica.
The Monegasque driver had planned to spend the early part of 2026 in the South Pole, but mechanical issues scuppered those plans just three days before departure.
In a social media post that attracted nearly four million likes, including from Lewis Hamilton and Pierre Gasly, Leclerc acknowledged both the personal setback and his professional struggles.
"A very good year off the track. A very difficult year on the track," Leclerc wrote, capturing the dichotomy of a season that saw him become engaged to long-term partner Alexandra Saint Mleux whilst enduring his second winless campaign in the past three years with Ferrari.
The arrival of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton at Maranello was supposed to herald a new era of success for the Scuderia. Instead, 2025 saw abject underachievement for a team with such lofty ambitions.
Nonetheless, and despite the Briton's pedigree and experience, it was Leclerc who emerged as the stronger performer in the SF-25.
The 28-year-old comprehensively outscored his illustrious teammate by 86 points, a margin that highlighted the struggles Hamilton faced adapting to Ferrari's machinery.
Leclerc's seven podium finishes represented the bulk of Ferrari's success, with his sole pole position coming at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
The SF-25's failings were evident throughout the campaign just gone, with Ferrari unable to challenge for race wins despite flashes of pace.
The car's narrow performance window occasionally allowed for strong qualifying performances, but rarely translated into sustained race pace.
Leclerc's ability to drag competitive results from an uncompetitive car demonstrated his continued development as a driver, yet also underscored the scale of Ferrari's technical deficiencies.
The cancelled Antarctica expedition could be interpreted as an ominous sign, and it serves as an unwelcome metaphor for Ferrari's recent fortunes.
Yet Leclerc's promise to "give absolutely everything for 2026" suggests he will not let this latest setback deter him.
Check out the social media post from Leclerc below!
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