Leclerc's F1 Future Could Hinge on Verstappen's 2027 Decision
Charles Leclerc's future in F1 may be tied to Max Verstappen's 2027 decision, with moves to Red Bull or Aston Martin on the table. This comes as Leclerc warns Ferrari it's "now or never" to provide him with a title-winning car under the new regulations, with his manager hinting he will look elsewhere if they fail.
Charles Leclerc's future in Formula 1 could be directly influenced by Max Verstappen's next career move, with potential destinations at Red Bull or Aston Martin depending on the reigning champion's choice. This comes as Leclerc issues a stark warning to Ferrari, emphasizing that the team's performance under the new 2026 regulations is critical for his long-term commitment.
Why it matters:
The driver market's domino effect, triggered by a top driver like Verstappen, can reshape the competitive hierarchy for years. Leclerc, widely regarded as a generational talent, seeking a car capable of winning a championship puts immense pressure on Ferrari to deliver. His potential departure would be a massive blow to the Scuderia's prestige and could accelerate a significant reshuffling of the grid's elite drivers.
The details:
- Leclerc's manager, Nicolas Todt, has publicly stated that the Monegasque driver needs a title-winning car, hinting that options outside Ferrari would be explored if it is not provided.
- Despite a contract believed to run until the end of 2028, Leclerc himself framed the upcoming era as "now or never" for Ferrari to get it right.
- Sky Sports' Ted Kravitz outlined a two-path scenario linking the drivers' futures:
- If Verstappen leaves Red Bull for Aston Martin (a move speculated due to the Adrian Newey connection), Leclerc becomes a prime candidate to fill the vacant seat at the reigning champions.
- If Verstappen stays at Red Bull, as CEO Oliver Mintzlaff expects, then Aston Martin could target Leclerc as their marquee signing to lead their project.
- Leclerc finished a difficult 2025 season fifth in the standings, with no wins and only two second-place finishes, highlighting the performance gap to the front.
What's next:
All eyes are on the development of the 2026 cars. Leclerc indicated that by races six or seven of the 2026 season, it will be clear which teams are set to dominate the new regulatory cycle. His assessment of Ferrari's progress at that point will likely be the catalyst for any serious decision about his future, making the early performance of the Project 678 chassis a pivotal moment for the team's retention of their star driver.