12/06/2025 18:35
Following a challenging start to the current F1 campaign, the
futures of Charles Leclerc and Frederic Vasseur at Ferrari have
been questioned by Italian media. Leclerc has long been associated
with the Ferrari organisation, joining its academy programme in
2017 as he progressed his way through the junior categories. He was
signed to a Ferrari F1 race seat in 2019 following a rookie
campaign with Sauber and has won eight grands prix across the last
six seasons with the team. However, the Monégasque driver has been
unable to mount a consistent championship challenge during his time
with the Italian squad. Leclerc penned an extension with Ferrari at
the start of 2024 as he committed his trust to the long-term vision
of the team. But after a shaky start to the 2025 campaign that has
again left Ferrari unable to contest at the front of the field,
Corriere della Sera has reported that Leclerc's confidence in the
team is wavering. It wrote that Leclerc is more open to the
possibility of moving elsewhere, and highlighted that crucially,
exit clauses are present in his contract. Leclerc is also
reportedly fearing a slow start at Ferrari due to the new
regulation cycle that will come into play next year. Mercedes has
been tipped as a leading contender under the fresh rules but is yet
to tie down either of its drivers for the new campaign. Fred
Vasseur also under threat? Overseeing the day-to-day operations at
Ferrari is Fred Vasseur, who joined at the start of the 2023
campaign following several years at Sauber. La Gazzetta dello Sport
states the next three races are crucial for Ferrari's direction and
could have consequences over Vasseur's position. It reports Ferrari
is keen to have Vasseur in place for the start of the new
regulation period in 2026 - but should results fail to improve, he
could find himself out. Corriere della Sera has also mentioned that
Vasseur's future is no longer safely secured, naming Antonello
Coletta as a potential replacement. Coletta oversees Ferrari's
activities in endurance racing. The Italian squad has made a strong
start to the World Endurance Championship with three wins in the
opening three rounds. Amid the uncertainty at Ferrari, Lewis
Hamilton has struggled to get up to speed with his new team
following his switch from Mercedes. Italian media reports that the
seven-time champion has grown frustrated that he is not being
listened to enough by the team. Hamilton is still awaiting his
first trip to the podium for Ferrari, while team-mate Leclerc has
taken three top-three results.
