While Charles Leclerc has just extended his adventure with Ferrari, new revelations show that the Monegasque would have explored other options before committing long-term to red.
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At 28, Leclerc remains one of the pillars of the Ferrari project and the announcement of his extension was welcomed as excellent news by the tifosi.
However, behind this apparent stability, contractual discussions would not have been as simple as they seem. Several sources claim that the Monegasque driver studied different possibilities before deciding to continue his career within the Scuderia.
Aston Martin too risky
Since his arrival at Ferrari in 2019, Leclerc has won eight Grands Prix and established himself as one of the most talented drivers of his generation. Nevertheless, the Scuderia’s inability to provide him with a car capable of regularly winning championships has fueled much speculation about his future.
Several observers have believed for several years that if he wants to realize his dream of becoming world champion, he might be forced to leave Maranello to join a more competitive team.
Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher had already revealed that Nicolas Todt, Leclerc’s manager, had discussed with Aston Martin. However, given the difficulties encountered by the British team since the introduction of the new 2026 regulations, such a transfer would today have seemed a risky bet.
The Red Bull alternative
But according to German journalist Ralf Bach, another leading team was also interested in the Monegasque: Red Bull. Speaking on a podcast dedicated to the Monaco Grand Prix, Bach explained that Laurent Mekies, now at the head of the Austrian team, would have actively tried to convince Leclerc to join the Red Bull project.
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“We heard that Red Bull was pushing really hard, especially Laurent Mekies. The two men know each other very well and have a good relationship. Mekies had shown real interest in Leclerc and discussions took place behind the scenes,” Bach stated. “He believes in the Ferrari project. Today, if we simply look at the performance of this season, Ferrari probably represents a better prospect than Red Bull. He feels at home in Maranello, he feels Ferrari in his soul, and I think he made the right choice. “
Bach also emphasizes that Ferrari continues to place its trust in its star driver: ” The team believes in him because he is one of the best drivers on the grid. If he can still gain consistency – which he sometimes lacked, as seen in Canada – then he is perfectly capable of fighting for the world title. “
Ferrari, or nothing!
This extension therefore puts an end, at least temporarily, to speculation surrounding his future. For Ferrari, retaining Leclerc guarantees stability around which to build the next seasons. For the driver, it is also a sign of loyalty to the team that gave him his chance and with which he still hopes to win the world title that is missing from his record.
The timing of this announcement is particularly interesting as Leclerc competes this weekend in his national Grand Prix in Monaco. Several paddock observers consider Ferrari to be one of the favorites on the Principality’s track, where the Italian engine’s power deficit should be less penalizing. After his historic home success in 2024, Leclerc now dreams of offering Ferrari its first victory of the 2026 season in front of his home crowd.
If he succeeds, his recent decision to remain loyal to the Scuderia might appear even more natural in the eyes of those who doubted his choice.
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