Charles Leclerc faces renewed scrutiny at Ferrari, with former team driver Arturo Merzario openly questioning whether Leclerc possesses the exceptional qualities expected at the Scuderia. This latest Charles Leclerc Ferrari criticism comes as expectations rise for the team’s performance in upcoming seasons, especially with new regulations on the horizon.
Arturo Merzario Criticizes Leclerc’s Impact at Ferrari
Since joining Ferrari in 2019 after winning the F2 title and spending a year with Alfa Romeo, Charles Leclerc has been regarded as the team’s hopeful, tasked with ending Ferrari’s World Championship drought that has stretched since Kimi Raikkonen’s 2007 victory. Despite his growing reputation, Leclerc’s position has come under fire from Arturo Merzario, who drove for Ferrari in the early 1970s and achieved notable finishes at the 1973 Brazilian and South African Grands Prix.
Leclerc completed the 2025 season in fifth place overall, securing seven podium finishes and collecting 242 points. His high-profile teammate, Lewis Hamilton—a seven-time world champion—ended up sixth in the standings but surprisingly did not step onto the podium during the campaign. The results have prompted discussions about leadership within the team and Leclerc’s unique capabilities.
Merzario challenged the perception of Leclerc as the team’s future star, describing him as competent but lacking distinctiveness among the top echelon of F1 talent.
“Leclerc has ended up occupying a position at Ferrari that wasn’t his at the time. He’s an excellent driver, like many others. If you throw names in a hat and pick one, they’re as good as any. He’s not special.” (via Automoto.it)
The criticism extended to observations about Lewis Hamilton’s adaptation to the team environment at Maranello, suggesting that his performance was hindered by a lack of full integration, impacting his motivation and results during the season.
“Who would boast about competing against a seven-time world champion like Hamilton, when in reality Lewis gave up because he didn’t feel integrated into the team? Why would he give 110% under these circumstances?” added Arturo Merzario
“If Enzo Ferrari had been there, he wouldn’t have even walked through the gates of Maranello. I’m sure of it. He wouldn’t have even welcomed him as a customer,” added the former Ferrari driver as he took a shot at the Monegasque driver.
Leclerc Addresses Uncertainties Ahead of Regulatory Changes
Looking forward, Charles Leclerc is managing the rising expectations as Formula 1 prepares for significant regulation changes in 2026. The Maranello-based team was seen as having one of the fastest cars in 2022 when new ground effect rules came into play, with Leclerc finishing second that year. The question remains whether Ferrari and Leclerc can adapt as successfully in the upcoming overhaul as they did previously.
“I have no idea. Nobody knows where the others are; there are so many unknowns. I’d rather not speak and wait until next year, in the first few races, to see where we are. In the meantime, we’ll just focus on the project and try to work in the best possible way, and we’ll see,” said Charles Leclerc
Meanwhile, speculation has surfaced that Mercedes and Red Bull may have exploited a regulatory loophole in the upcoming engine rules, particularly concerning the compression ratio and heat management. If substantiated, this could place Ferrari and its other rivals at a disadvantage even before the 2026 season gets underway.
What the Future Holds for Ferrari and Leclerc
The ongoing debate over leadership and talent at Ferrari underscores the pressures on Charles Leclerc as he enters his eighth season with the team. With key figures in Formula 1 like Kimi Raikkonen, Lewis Hamilton, and now Charles Leclerc each having shaped the narrative at Maranello, the scrutiny leans heavily on results. The coming regulatory changes may create new opportunities or setbacks for the team. As the team waits to see if Leclerc can rise above criticism and prove himself as something “special,” Ferrari’s quest for another championship remains one of the sport’s compelling storylines.
