Why Charles Leclerc could be active in the 2026 driver market

Ferrari under pressure to deliver winning car in 2026

There is no denying that Leclerc wants to win with Ferrari. His ambition since joining Formula 1 in 2018 – and even before then as an academy driver – has been to lead the iconic Maranello team to the front.

At the same time, the 27-year-old would rather win a Championship elsewhere than never win at all. This will be his mentality when next season begins and he assesses the pecking order.

Like most drivers, Leclerc will be eager for his team to hit the ground running with the 2026 regulations. Recovering from a slow start in a new regulatory cycle – especially given the introduction of new engines – is extremely difficult.

The Monegasque knows this, which is why it is essential that Ferrari start strongly next year.

Charles Leclerc’s manager, Nicholas Todt, told The Strait Times about how the F1 grid could evolve in 2026:

“A lot of drivers are waiting to see how well each team will have worked, and how good their car will be – to say ‘I want to stay in my team’ or ‘I want to go to another team because they are doing a better job’.

“Charles is one of the best talent of his generation, with Max and a few of the drivers. He’s not a baby anymore because he has done a lot of seasons with Ferrari. And of course, I think that we still need to have a winning car.

“Today, we have a good car, but not enough to win the title… We hope it will happen, and we hope next year Ferrari will have a very good car with the new regulations.”

No shortage of options for Leclerc

Leclerc is often described as a loyal driver, and this seems a fitting description. His statements in every single media interview show that winning World Championships with Ferrari is what he dreams of.

As F1 does so often, however, it is necessary to put aside dreams and idealism for reality. The reality is that Leclerc turns 28 next week and, therefore, is entering his prime years.

The 2026 regulations will define the sport for the foreseeable future, both for teams and drivers. As Verstappen and now the McLaren duo have demonstrated in recent years, being at the right place at the right time is everything in Formula 1.

Leclerc will not blindly persist with Fred Vasseur’s team if he does not believe they can win titles. In this sense, the Maranello outfit’s performance in 2026 will be the best evidence for their chances of winning a title in the late 2020s – and if Leclerc sees himself continuing his journey.

The 8-time race winner will have no shortage of options in next year’s driver market, and he is aware of this. For now, he will continue to give everything to Ferrari and the Tifosi.

When the 2026 campaign begins, it will be time for the Italian squad to show they are ready to become genuine contenders in the next regulatory cycle.