F1 Fans Divided on Leclerc's Le Mans Debut Timeline
A new poll shows F1 fans are split on when Charles Leclerc will race at Le Mans. While he's expressed a strong desire to compete, his debut likely depends on Ferrari's 2026 F1 title challenge.
A new poll reveals F1 fans are deeply divided over when Charles Leclerc will finally make his competitive Le Mans 24 Hours debut. While the Ferrari driver has publicly declared his ambition to win the iconic endurance race, his timeline appears to be tied directly to the Scuderia's fortunes under the new 2026 F1 regulations.
Why it matters:
Leclerc's potential participation in Le Mans is more than just a side quest; it represents a significant career move for a top-tier F1 driver. His desire to compete—and win—shows the growing prestige of the Hypercar class, which now attracts elite talent from across the motorsport world. For Ferrari, a successful Le Mans campaign with their star driver would be a monumental marketing and sporting achievement, bridging their F1 and WEC efforts.
The details:
- A recent RacingNews365 poll shows a fractured consensus among fans on Leclerc's debut date:
- 33.7% believe his debut will come in 2027, likely after the 2026 F1 season concludes.
- 24.6% are optimistic for a 2025 appearance, while 16.9% point to 2028.
- Just 7.3% doubt he will ever race at La Sarthe.
- Leclerc has been clear about his intentions: "Definitely. Actually, [I'd like to compete in it] quite a few times... if I do something, I want to do it to try and win."
- The 2026 F1 season is the critical variable. Leclerc has called it a "now or never" moment for Ferrari's title hopes, suggesting he will prioritize his F1 commitments before adding an endurance racing program.
- Ferrari's existing success in the World Endurance Championship, including their 2023 Le Mans victory with Robert Kubica, provides a proven platform for a future Leclerc campaign.
Looking ahead:
Leclerc's Le Mans dream is firmly on the back burner until the 2026 F1 season plays out. If Ferrari can deliver a title-contending car, Leclerc may feel satisfied enough to pursue his endurance racing ambitions, potentially as early as 2027. Conversely, another season of falling short in F1 could see him double down on his primary goal, delaying his Le Mans debut even further. The ball is in Ferrari's court to deliver a car that can finally allow their star driver to look beyond Formula 1.