Leclerc Remains Ferrari's Best Hope to End Championship Drought
Charles Leclerc's exceptional qualifying pace and proven racecraft under pressure make him Ferrari's most credible candidate to end their 18-year drivers' championship drought, but his success hinges entirely on the team providing him with a car capable of a sustained title fight.
Charles Leclerc has been Ferrari's lead driver since 2019, yet a championship challenge has remained elusive. Despite periods of inconsistency and a car that has often fallen short, Leclerc's raw speed, qualifying brilliance, and racecraft under pressure solidify his position as the driver most likely to end Ferrari's 18-year title drought when—or if—the Scuderia provides him with a truly competitive machine.
Why it matters:
Ferrari's championship dry spell since Kimi Raikkonen's 2007 title is the longest in the team's storied history. Identifying and backing the right driver to lead them out of this period is critical. Leclerc, despite not yet fighting for a title, has consistently demonstrated the high-ceiling talent that suggests he could be that driver, outperforming decorated teammates like Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton during their partnerships.
The Details:
- Qualifying Supremacy: Leclerc's single-lap pace is among the best on the grid. In 2025, he outqualified seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton 19-5, secured front-row starts in Monaco and Hungary, and consistently reached Q3 in the final rounds while Hamilton was eliminated in Q1.
- Race-Day Resilience: His mental fortitude in wheel-to-wheel combat was established early, most notably fending off a relentless attack from Hamilton to win the 2019 Italian Grand Prix. This trait was on display again in 2025 with a bold, gravel-tinged pass on George Russell at the Dutch Grand Prix.
- The Missing Piece: The primary obstacle has not been the driver, but the car. Leclerc's only near-title opportunity came in 2022, where he challenged Max Verstappen early before Ferrari's development stalled, failing to win any of the final 11 races.
Looking Ahead:
The 2026 regulatory reset represents the next major opportunity for Ferrari to build a championship-contending car. Leclerc's contract runs through 2027, aligning him with this crucial new era. If the Scuderia can finally deliver a package that matches his talent, Leclerc has already shown he possesses the speed and steeliness required to convert it into a long-awaited title.