Leclerc Could Move to Aston Martin if Ferrari Fails to Deliver Title Car, Says Kravitz
F1 analyst Ted Kravitz speculates that Charles Leclerc could leave Ferrari for Aston Martin if the Italian team fails to provide a title-contending car by 2026. He suggests Aston, with Adrian Newey and a Honda engine, would be an ideal alternative, especially if they miss out on signing Max Verstappen.
Sky Sports pundit Ted Kravitz has suggested Charles Leclerc could be a prime candidate for Aston Martin if the team fails to secure Max Verstappen and if Ferrari continues to fall short of providing a championship-winning car. Leclerc, who delivered a strong 2025 season with seven podiums, remains without a title-contending machine since joining Ferrari in 2019, fueling speculation about his future ahead of the pivotal 2026 regulations.
Why it matters:
Leclerc is widely regarded as one of the grid's top talents, capable of winning a championship with the right equipment. His potential departure from Ferrari—a team struggling to return to consistent winning form—would represent a major shift in the driver market and could significantly alter the competitive landscape for the 2026 season and beyond.
The details:
- Ted Kravitz, on Sky Sports' The F1 Show podcast, pointed to Aston Martin as a potential destination for Leclerc if their project with new Team Principal Adrian Newey and a Honda power unit proves competitive.
- He highlighted comments from Leclerc's manager, Nicolas Todt, after the 2025 summer break, which indicated it was "time for Charles to be in a car that’s worthy of the championship" and hinted at looking elsewhere, despite a contract running through 2028.
- Former F1 driver Karun Chandhok agrees, placing Leclerc in the same category as George Russell, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri—drivers who could win a title if given the right car.
- Leclerc's 2025 performance (P5, 242 points, seven podiums) underscored his skill, but Ferrari's drop to P4 in the constructors' standings and failure to win a race for the first time since 2021 highlighted the team's ongoing competitive deficit.
What's next:
All eyes are on Ferrari's development of its 2026 car. If the Scuderia cannot produce a machine that allows Leclerc to fight for the championship, the pressure for a move will intensify. Aston Martin's project, spearheaded by Adrian Newey, becomes a fascinating alternative, especially if they cannot lure Verstappen. The 2026 season is shaping up to be a critical inflection point for both Leclerc's career and the team dynamics at the front of the grid.