Charles Leclerc considered Ferrari future when they ‘gravitated’ towards Carlos Sainz

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Charles Leclerc is committing his career to Ferrari after signing a new contract, but the relationship almost ended under Mattia Binotto’s reign.

Joining the Maranello outfit in 2019 from Sauber, the Monegasque driver has spent his entire career with Ferrari. He has been linked with several teams over the years, especially recently, as their lack of success prompted him to assess his options.

Eventually, Leclerc committed to a new long-term contract with Ferrari, with many believing that it will take him until the 2030s. But things could have worked out differently, thanks to Binotto’s treatment of Carlos Sainz.

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Charles Leclerc and Ferrari ‘barely survived’ under Mattia Binotto as he ‘gravitated’ towards Carlos Sainz

Journalist Scott Mitchell-Malm recalled on The Race F1 Podcast how Leclerc and Ferrari’s relationship ‘barely survived’ under Binotto’s tenure. The then-team principal was leaning more on Sainz and his technical feedback.

Under new boss Fred Vasseur, the Frenchman has brought Leclerc closer to him and gives him equal treatment to Lewis Hamilton. Had he not joined the team, the 28-year-old would likely have left Ferrari.

Mitchell-Malm said: “I mean the fact that he’s done another Ferrari contract that runs through to like 2045 or whatever he’s committed to this time, and the fact that he’s so loved by Vasseur, but also kind of just Ferrari in general.

“I feel like it’s just more that Ferrari’s kind of, especially Vasseur, because I have to give him a bit of credit for this specifically. He’s worked really hard to try and make sure that both drivers have what they want.

“And whether it’s sometimes, I don’t know whether Leclerc’s got more loyalty and faith in Fred or more loyalty and faith in Ferrari, but there’s definitely an element.

“I am so convinced that Leclerc either wouldn’t be at Ferrari now if Vasseur wasn’t the team boss or would be on his way out soonish if Fred wasn’t the team boss.

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“I mean, look at, I still don’t really know exactly what played out there, but that relationship clearly barely survived Mattia Binotto being in charge because Binotto seemed to gravitate more towards like a Carlos Sainz-type and the way that he worked and sort of what he brought to the table.”

Leclerc wished he had Sainz’s adaptability at Ferrari, and that is a trait that he will be wanting now against Hamilton. The seven-time champion is getting the better of him in 2026, winning his first race for the team in Barcelona.

Nico Rosberg even thinks that Hamilton is now ‘the king of Ferrari’, with many agreeing that he is now team leader over Leclerc. He certainly has some work to do, but fortunately for him, he has time and support on his side.