Now in his eighth season in red, Leclerc has not only yet to win a world title, but has never truly had the chance to fight for one all the way to the end. The only real exception came in 2024, when he and Carlos Sainz came within touching distance of delivering the Constructors’ Championship back to Maranello, only to fall short against McLaren at the final race of the season.
Photo: Race Pictures
Leclerc rules himself out of the driver market, but what about Hamilton?
At the start of 2024, the seven-time world champion stunned the Formula 1 world by announcing he would leave Mercedes at the end of the season after 12 years with the team and join Ferrari from the following campaign in what was widely regarded as one of the most shocking driver market moves in recent memory.
Hamilton also has the results on his side after a convincing start to the season, having secured two podium finishes in the opening five races and sitting almost level with his teammate in the championship standings. Barring a major surprise, Ferrari look set to continue with the Leclerc-Hamilton pairing into 2027, with attention then likely to turn to what happens in 2028 and the decisions that will be made in the months ahead.
Is Max Verstappen’s future tied to Hamilton’s?
With Ferrari expected to stick with the Hamilton-Leclerc line-up in 2027, attention naturally turns to what could happen 12 months later. Should Verstappen decide to take a sabbatical from Formula 1, the timing could potentially align rather well, particularly if Hamilton were to leave the team at the end of the following season and free up what would undoubtedly be one of the most sought-after seats on the grid.
The Dutchman effectively has two options ahead of him – or perhaps even three. The first would be to remain with Red Bull for the long haul, continue in Formula 1 and see out his current contract. The second would involve stepping away from the sport at the end of the year before potentially returning with Ferrari in 2028, replacing Hamilton in what would represent yet another blockbuster move for the Scuderia. The third scenario would see Verstappen remain on the radar of rival teams, with Mercedes an obvious candidate after spending months trying to lure him in before those links eventually faded away.
Photo: Race Pictures
For now, given that the 2026 season has only just begun, it is important to stress that all of this remains purely speculative. Any of these scenarios could ultimately come to fruition, while countless others may emerge along the way. The one certainty is that Leclerc and Ferrari will continue their journey together, but as for the seat alongside him, the story is still far from being written.