Former Haas team principal Guenther Steiner believes Charles Leclerc needs a fresh challenge away from Ferrari, especially after a disappointing beginning to the 2025 Formula 1 season. Steiner draws parallels to Lewis Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes for Ferrari, highlighting how change can sometimes be crucial for a driver’s progress and success. This notion gains traction as Ferrari struggles, with Leclerc and his team facing mounting frustration.
Ferrari’s Decline in Performance and Leclerc’s Growing Frustration
After a close fight for the Constructors’ Championship last year, Ferrari’s performance has sharply declined in 2025. The team has managed just a single podium finish in the first seven races, leaving them in fourth place overall and trailing the leaders, McLaren, by 165 points. Both Leclerc and Hamilton failed to reach the final Q3 qualifying stage at Imola, highlighting deeper performance issues within the team.
Leclerc openly expressed his concerns, stating on Sky F1,
“We are just P-nowhere at the moment.”
He added,
“There’s not enough performance in the car and I keep repeating myself.”
Regarding the car’s limitations, Leclerc emphasized,
“There’s just not the potential that we will hope inside this car at the moment and we need to be better.”
Steiner Suggests Leclerc Should Consider Leaving Ferrari
During an interview on the Red Flags podcast, Steiner elaborated on the idea that Leclerc may benefit from a new environment. As a Ferrari Driver Academy alumnus who has raced for the team since 2019 with eight Grand Prix wins to his name, Leclerc’s loyalty is notable but may have reached its limit.
Steiner commented, “He needs a new challenge.” He reflected on Hamilton’s move from Mercedes to Ferrari as an example of how change can bring renewed motivation, saying,
“I think Charles, it’s like something new because at some stage everything just becomes routine.”
Steiner also highlighted the championships perspective, noting,
“He is not in a position to win a championship, so if he maybe goes somewhere else, maybe he gets lucky, you never know.”
Potential Risks of Leaving Ferrari: Lessons from Fernando Alonso’s Career
Steiner cautioned that seeking a new team could backfire, referencing Fernando Alonso’s experience after his 2005 and 2006 championship wins with Renault. Alonso’s subsequent moves to McLaren, Ferrari, and Renault again failed to yield another title, despite strong efforts.
Steiner warned,
“But he could be unlucky and go to the wrong team,”
underscoring the risks of transferring to a less competitive outfit. Alonso eventually joined Aston Martin in 2023, illustrating that team changes do not always guarantee success.
How Hamilton’s Transition to Ferrari Influences Leclerc’s Decision
Lewis Hamilton’s own career shift from Mercedes — where he set records — to Ferrari serves as a key example for Leclerc. Hamilton’s move shows how stepping into a new environment can provide fresh opportunities and rejuvenate motivation, even if the results are never guaranteed immediately. This comparison adds weight to the argument that Leclerc’s continued stay at Ferrari may not align with his goal of securing a World Championship in the near future.
Looking Ahead: The Impact of Leclerc’s Next Steps on Ferrari and F1
Leclerc’s possible departure from Ferrari would signal a significant turning point for both the driver and the historic team, which is eager to return to championship contention. For Leclerc, choosing the right team next will be critical to maintaining his trajectory towards a World Championship, though it carries inherent risks as Steiner pointed out. Ferrari faces pressure to improve swiftly if it wants to retain their star driver and stay competitive in an evolving F1 landscape.
