Ferrari’s turbulent season has entered a critical phase, and Charles Leclerc has stepped forward to defend team principal Fred Vasseur while quashing rumours that he might seek a new home.
A Campaign in Reverse
Ferrari entered 2025 boasting wind-tunnel whispers of a half-second gain, yet after seven races the SF-25 has delivered only one podium for Leclerc and none for incoming superstar Lewis Hamilton.
McLaren sits comfortably atop both championships, with Max Verstappen keeping Red Bull in striking distance and Mercedes edging Ferrari for third in the Constructors’ table.
Leclerc lies fifth, 85 points off Oscar Piastri, a deficit that has triggered fresh scrutiny of Maranello’s leadership and car-development path.
Vasseur Under the Microscope
Calls for change intensified after another low-key showing in Imola, but Leclerc said, “I’ve always said I have total trust in Fred and I truly believe he is the right person to bring Ferrari back to the top.”
He added, “He really is the one who can make it win. I’ve always said it.”
The 26-year-old insisted that the atmosphere under Vasseur is less “toxic” than previous eras and credits the Frenchman for fostering accountability without blame culture.
Contract Signals and Exit Chatter
Leclerc signed an extension last year that Italian media believe runs through the first season of Formula 1’s 2026 rule reset, yet former team boss Guenther Steiner urged him to consider a “new challenge” if Ferrari cannot return to the front.
Asked directly whether he could walk away, Leclerc fired back, “Of course not, there is absolutely no chance.”
“I believe in the project and I believe in Fred,” he said.
“Clearly, it’s a complicated moment and in times like this it’s easy to have doubts.”
“But I’m not thinking about leaving Ferrari, I want to win with Ferrari. And I will stay as long as I believe in this project. And I believe in it.”
Championship Mathematics
History offers mixed hope: Red Bull lost the early lead last season, yet Ferrari’s current gap is larger than the one McLaren overturned.
Leclerc argues that unpredictable reliability and the looming Spanish technical directive could shuffle the order, insisting, “I will give my all until the end to try to win the title this year.”
Even so, insiders say Ferrari’s development war chest is now focused on re-profiled side-pods and a lighter floor due to debut in Canada—upgrades that must succeed to keep Vasseur safe from boardroom pressure.
What Lies Ahead
The Monaco Grand Prix presents both opportunity and risk for the home favourite: the street circuit traditionally masks power-unit deficits but punishes small mistakes, as evidenced by last season’s qualifying heartbreak.
Ferrari engineers believe the SF-25’s improved mechanical grip will shine in slow-speed corners, yet simulations also warn that tyre warm-up remains a weak point, especially if heavy clouds rob the track of temperature.
Success in Monte Carlo would buy Vasseur time, calm investors and vindicate Leclerc’s public loyalty; another setback could embolden those urging a drastic rethink before 2026.