{"id":35060,"date":"2025-05-24T11:46:48","date_gmt":"2025-05-24T10:46:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/formula1news.co.uk\/?p=35060"},"modified":"2025-05-24T11:46:52","modified_gmt":"2025-05-24T10:46:52","slug":"charles-leclerc-speaks-out-on-quitting-ferrari","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/formula1news.co.uk\/charles-leclerc-speaks-out-on-quitting-ferrari\/","title":{"rendered":"Charles Leclerc speaks out on quitting Ferrari"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ferrari\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Campaign in Reverse<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

McLaren sits comfortably atop both championships, with Max Verstappen keeping Red Bull in striking distance and Mercedes edging Ferrari for third in the Constructors\u2019 table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leclerc lies fifth, 85 points off Oscar Piastri, a deficit that has triggered fresh scrutiny of Maranello\u2019s leadership and car-development path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Vasseur Under the Microscope<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Calls for change intensified after another low-key showing in Imola, but Leclerc said, \u201cI\u2019ve always said I have total trust in Fred and I truly believe he is the right person to bring Ferrari back to the top.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He added, \u201cHe really is the one who can make it win. I\u2019ve always said it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The 26-year-old insisted that the atmosphere under Vasseur is less \u201ctoxic\u201d than previous eras and credits the Frenchman for fostering accountability without blame culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Contract Signals and Exit Chatter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Leclerc signed an extension last year that Italian media believe runs through the first season of Formula 1\u2019s 2026 rule reset, yet former team boss Guenther Steiner urged him to consider a \u201cnew challenge\u201d if Ferrari cannot return to the front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Asked directly whether he could walk away, Leclerc fired back, \u201cOf course not, there is absolutely no chance.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI believe in the project and I believe in Fred,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cClearly, it\u2019s a complicated moment and in times like this it\u2019s easy to have doubts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cBut I\u2019m 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.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Championship Mathematics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

History offers mixed hope: Red Bull lost the early lead last season, yet Ferrari\u2019s current gap is larger than the one McLaren overturned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leclerc argues that unpredictable reliability and the looming Spanish technical directive could shuffle the order, insisting, \u201cI will give my all until the end to try to win the title this year.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Even so, insiders say Ferrari\u2019s development war chest is now focused on re-profiled side-pods and a lighter floor due to debut in Canada\u2014upgrades that must succeed to keep Vasseur safe from boardroom pressure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Lies Ahead<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s qualifying heartbreak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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#F1<\/a> driver blames Lewis Hamilton for being fired https:\/\/t.co\/V8dMH5kmWW<\/a><\/p>— Formula1News.co.uk (@Formula1newsUK) May 11, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote>