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Charles Leclerc questions Ferrari rumours and Christian Horner links ahead of US GP

Originally posted on HITC | By Kyle Archer | Last updated Oct 17, 2025 12:02 PM ET

Charles Leclerc arrived at COTA for the 2025 United States Grand Prix also celebrating his 28th birthday this Thursday, but Ferrari’s “difficult time” overshadowed the party.

Leclerc faced questions about ongoing speculation around the team during his birthday in Austin. Ferrari have been trying to move past a string of rumours that began circulating after the Singapore Grand Prix, which Leclerc is eager to leave behind.

It wasn’t just talk about Christian Horner being linked with Fred Vasseur’s job that drew attention. Even though reports now suggest Ferrari aren’t looking to bring in Horner, questions over Vasseur’s future have been hard to ignore.

Leclerc is hoping for a good showing at the United States GP to quiet down some of the noise. But he’s also realistic about their chances, admitting that a win in either Saturday’s Sprint or Sunday’s race might be out of reach for Ferrari this weekend.

Charles Leclerc says Horner-to-Ferrari talk has made life ‘difficult’

Rumours had been swirling that Ferrari chairman John Elkann was looking to bring in Horner to replace Vasseur, having reportedly lost confidence in the Frenchman. It’s been a rough 2025 season for the Scuderia, who remain the only team among the top four without a Grand Prix victory.

It hasn’t stopped there, either. More recently, claims have surfaced suggesting Leclerc’s camp has been in touch with Aston Martin about a possible future switch. There’s even talk that he might consider a seat swap with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in 2027 if Mercedes isn’t an option.

Photo by Kym Illman/Getty Images

But Leclerc spoke out at COTA on Thursday, saying he has no idea where these stories are coming from beyond Ferrari’s supposed interest in Horner. He did acknowledge, though, that all of the noise around the team has made things “difficult.”

“What gift would I like here? Obviously, a win. Actually, two,” Leclerc told Sky Italia. “But realistically, I just hope for a good weekend where we put everything together.

“It’s quite a difficult time in the sense that there are so many things around the team that I don’t understand where they’re coming from. But it’s not just the rumours about Horner.

“That’s also why I hope for a good weekend for the team and to forget all these things. I hope this is the weekend to turn the page.”

Fred Vasseur and Charles Leclerc’s futures questioned amid Ferrari struggles

Reports have indicated that Ferrari are considering Horner’s availability, with the 51-year-old able to join another team from April 2026 following his departure from Red Bull. However, the team now appears to be standing behind Vasseur.

Vasseur signed a new contract with Ferrari in July, extending through to 2027, which at the time was expected to quieten rumours about his future. The Scuderia renewed their commitment to the Frenchman even after Horner’s dismissal by Red Bull, though he was still under contract discussions through 2030.

The speculation grew after the Singapore Grand Prix, where there were suggestions Leclerc might consider leaving at the end of next season and that Elkann was interested in Horner due to ongoing issues within the team. Currently, Ferrari sit third in the constructors’ standings with six rounds remaining.

McLaren has already secured the constructors’ title and leads Ferrari by 352 points. Mercedes also sits ahead by 27 points while Red Bull’s point total is heavily reliant on Max Verstappen, who has contributed 273 of their 290 points this season.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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