Charles Leclerc has devoted several years to Scuderia Ferrari, yet the ultimate prize of a World Championship has eluded him so far. His ongoing commitment to Ferrari largely rests on the hope that the team will soon produce a championship-winning car, a belief strongly shared by Ferrari mechatronics engineer Francesco Cigarini, who suggests Leclerc fears switching teams just before Ferrari becomes a true title contender.
Tracing Leclerc’s journey with Ferrari from academy to the Formula 1 grid
Leclerc’s connection with Ferrari began in 2016 when he joined the Ferrari Driver Academy, positioning him for a future in the team’s Formula 1 lineup. After racing for Sauber in 2018, he advanced to Ferrari’s main team in 2019 and has remained loyal since. During his tenure, Leclerc has accumulated eight Grand Prix victories and achieved his best championship result, second place, in 2022.
His persistent goal remains winning a World Championship, as emphasized by Cigarini, who recognizes that ambition as a key factor in Leclerc’s decision to stay with the iconic racing outfit.
Engineer Francesco Cigarini reflects on Leclerc’s talent and mindset
Cigarini expressed great admiration for Leclerc’s skills, calling him
“a huge talent, a huge one.”
He recounted his early impression of Leclerc, linking the driver’s arrival to the void left by the late Jules Bianchi. According to Cigarini, seeing Leclerc reignited hope within the Ferrari team.
He explained,
“These are all aspects that you find over time, by working,”
highlighting that Leclerc’s raw talent needed refining through team collaboration and understanding car dynamics like tire management. This process is vital in harnessing an explosive driver’s ability into consistent performance.
The delicate decision of whether to remain at Ferrari or switch teams
Despite his evident talent and Ferrari tenure, Leclerc has yet to claim a championship, raising questions about whether he might eventually leave for a rival team with stronger title prospects. Cigarini acknowledged this possibility but believes Leclerc is cautious about leaving too soon. The driver wonders,
“What if I change teams and in a year or two Ferrari puts the car I need to win the World Championship on the track?”
Cigarini drew parallels with his own experience leaving a team, revealing the internal debate Leclerc is having.
“But at a certain point, I made my choice, so he could make the choice. I don’t see it as feasible for now, but I’ll tell you that in my opinion, the question he’s asking himself is: ‘What if I finally leave everything I want from the car and it comes the following year?’”
Balancing personal ambition with Ferrari’s legacy and team dynamics
Winning a championship with Ferrari carries particular prestige, and Cigarini was asked whether Leclerc might regret not achieving a title with Ferrari more than missing out on a championship entirely. He responded,
“Yes, but it depends on his position within Ferrari.”
According to Cigarini, if Leclerc feels disconnected from the team environment, a departure could become inevitable. However, he added,
“He has the lofty ambition of bringing the title to Ferrari and he’s doing it for himself, because it’s a path he wanted to take and he’s fully committed to it.”
The future outlook for Leclerc and Ferrari in the evolving F1 landscape
Leclerc recently extended his contract with Ferrari into 2024 and beyond, committing himself for several more seasons, though specific contract terms remain undisclosed. Looking forward, the 2026 Formula 1 season will introduce a major regulatory overhaul, expected to shake up the competitive order once again. Leclerc will undoubtedly hope that these changes coincide with Ferrari delivering the car capable of winning that elusive World Championship.
