There have been an elevated number of reports about Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari future in recent months. The team’s failure to contend in this year’s title race has raised the pressure to perform in 2026.
For Leclerc, his desire to win a Championship with the Scuderia remains in tact. However, next year will reveal if Ferrari can realistically be contenders in the foreseeable future.
Putting aside the Italian team’s fortunes in F1, Leclerc has expressed an interest in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Leclerc thinking of ways “to combine F1 and Le Mans”
Robert Kubica took the chequered flag to secure Le Mans victory for Ferrari this summer. The 2008 Canadian GP Winner added another chapter to his decorated career in the #83 AF Corse.
Alongside Yifei Ye and Phil Hanson, the Pole delivered Ferrari’s biggest accomplishment of 2025.
The team’s F1 operation hope to emulate their counterparts in World Endurance – and none more than Charles Leclerc. Whilst Formula 1 of course remains the priority for Leclerc, he still has ambitions for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Speaking at the FIA Gala, he discussed the possibility of balancing F1 and WEC:
“Obviously it’s been extremely special to race for the red team. To be here supporting our big family, obviously having won in WEC and having so much success on a year like this is incredible.
“The legacy that Ferrari has left in motorsport will forever be there, and I’m super proud to be part of it. Somehow, not it’s up to us [in F1] to live to expectations, just like my teammates in endurance do…
“Definitely [interested in Le Mans], I’ve seen it actually quite a few times.
“Now I need to find a way to try and combine Formula 1 and Le Mans. Because if I do something, I want to do it to try and win.
“And for that it needs preparation, because the level is super high. But for sure, I would love to.”
A test for Ferrari-Leclerc relations
Fernando Alonso and Nico Hulkenberg are the only drivers on the 2026 grid to have won the iconic 24 hour race. Both drivers claimed their Le Mans triumphed some time ago, at a time when the F1 schedule was less demanding.
Alonso took his first Le Mans win in 2018 whilst still racing in F1, before triumphing again in 2019 after his first retirement from Formula 1.
Hulkenberg’s achieved his 2015 victory with Porsche whilst driving for Force India. This proves it is possible, even with the more vigorous calendar, to juggle different categories in one year.
At the same time, Leclerc’s relationship with Ferrari could evolve over the coming months.
It is no secret the Monegasque is growing impatient for a title-calibre package in 2026. If Ferrari are not contenders next year, the dream of competing in Le Mans will likely fall down his list of priorities.
Competing with Ferrari specifically is contingent on Leclerc still being at the Scuderia after next year. Despite having a few years left on his contract, it is understood he will have the freedom to exercise his options in market in 2026.
This means, at least for now, next year’s fortunes in F1 will dictate his timeline to consider a Le Mans appearance.
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Main photo: Ferrari Media Gallery