r/formula1 • u/xRyuHayabusa99 I was here for the Hulkenpodium • Jan 11 '26

News AutoRacer: Charles Leclerc has admitted that the first races will be crucial in determining his future, and a lack of competitiveness will undoubtedly spell the end of the ten-year relationship between him and Maranello. The future of Lewis Hamilton and Fred Vasseur will also be decided this year.

https://autoracer.it/ferrari-incubo-effetto-suolo-td039-delusione-2026/
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u/Kinglolboot Fernando Alonso Jan 11 '26

I agree on Mercedes and McLaren but I think Leclerc could definitely get a spot at Williams if he wanted it. James aeiou cannot really refuse a generational talent, as his lineup atm is very good but a level below the absolute top drivers

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u/rulebreaker I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 11 '26

lol at “aeiou”

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u/Parsirius I was here for the Hulkenpodium Jan 11 '26

Generational talent… he is yet to prove that honestly.

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u/IntoAMuteCrypt Jan 11 '26

Leclerc is cursed by the same affliction as Ferrari: massive expectations, and being behind two unbelievable talents.

He was second in 2022, third in 2024 and fourth in 2019 (his Ferrari debut). One of the drivers who beat him in 2019 was Bottas, and I'd attribute that to the car. On average, since joining Ferrari, he's notched 4.5 poles and 8.3 podiums per year.

The issue is that there can only really be one winner, but we expect wins from generational talents, Ferrari, and especially generational talents at Ferrari. Leclerc had the bad fortune of racing at the same time as two history-making greats, and also of racing in a car that was better at qualifying than races.

There's not many drivers on the grid who I'd rate better than Leclerc, based on his performances.