Charles Leclerc Targeted By Three F1 Teams As 'Contact Made' With Ferrari

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc is being targeted by three rival F1 teams, it has been reported.

The Monegasque driver went winless in 2025 driving a Ferrari car that generally struggled to match the pace of McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes.

Ferrari identified an issue with the car's floor set-up at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, leading to concerns over possible disqualifications for excessive plank wear.

Leclerc and team-mate Lewis Hamilton were often told to lift and coast to protect the plank during races, and were both disqualified in China.

Despite the car's deficiencies, Leclerc still picked up seven podiums and regularly outperformed team-mate Hamilton in qualifying and races.

He picked up 88 points more than the seven-time world champion and finished in fifth place in the Drivers' Championship standings.

Ferrari's lack of performance, therefore, has done little to affect Leclerc's standing as one of the top drivers on the grid - with his reputation having arguably been increased.

The 2026 season will see a raft of rule changes being introduced, which Ferrari will hope can elevate them back to championship contention.

Leclerc has spent his entire Formula 1 career with Ferrari - he drove for Sauber in 2018 on what was effectively a loan deal from the Scuderia's junior ranks - and signed a new contract with the team in 2024.

The length of the deal has not been publicly disclosed, though BBC Sport report that it runs until the end of 2029.

But it remains to be seen whether the eight-time F1 race winner will see that contract out if Ferrari continue to struggle next year.

According to AutoRacer's Giuliano Duchessa, three teams on the F1 grid want to sign Leclerc.

The exact identities of the teams are not clear, though it was reported last month by Italian journalist Leo Turrini that Aston Martin had personally contacted Leclerc's manager, Nicholas Todt.

In 2023, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff stated that Leclerc was on their 'long-term radar', though Kimi Antonelli and George Russell are both signed through at least 2026.

While he could potentially replace Oscar Piastri at McLaren amid claims that the Australia may look to join Red Bull in 2027.

Speaking after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Leclerc told The Race that 2026 would be 'a crucial year' in determining whether he can win a world championship with Ferrari.

Ferrari seemingly have a succession plan in place for Hamilton's side of the garage, with the Brit signed up for 2026 with the option of a further year.

Ollie Bearman has been linked with a move to Ferrari once Hamilton, who will be 42 at the end of his contract if he takes up the option to extend, leaves the team.

The Brit, who is part of Ferrari's junior academy, has impressed in his rookie season with Haas, picking up 41 points and a highest finish of fourth place at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Another possible long-term option for the Scuderia is fellow junior driver Rafael Camara, with the 20-year-old Brazilian having comfortably won the F3 title with two races to spare in 2025.

He will step up to F2 in 2026 with Invicta Racing, whose driver Leonardo Fornaroli won that particular title this year.