Ralf Schumacher tells Charles Leclerc what he ‘definitely’ should do after John Elkann’s outburst

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Ferrari are facing turmoil once again in the 2025 F1 season after chairman John Elkann stated that Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton should “focus on driving and talk less”.

The Scuderia have endured a sorry year in large this term, with the Maranello squad still the only one of F1’s top four teams yet to win a Grand Prix. While Leclerc boasts seven podiums, Hamilton is also yet to reach a Grand Prix rostrum after his first 21 rounds as a Ferrari driver.

Only when Hamilton won the F1 Sprint in China from pole position during round two back in March has the Briton had any real reason to celebrate since leaving Mercedes for Ferrari this year. Leclerc also secured Ferrari’s only Grand Prix pole this year during round 14 in Hungary.

Hamilton and Leclerc suffering Ferrari’s second double DNF of the 2025 F1 season so far in the Sao Paulo Grand Prix also preceded Elkann voicing his surprise claim. The Scuderia fell to fourth in the F1 constructors’ championship after sitting second before they flew to Brazil.

Charles Leclerc urged to question John Elkann about his attack but also find a “Plan B”

Elkann’s shock attack followed Hamilton saying that he is living a “nightmare” at Ferrari after retiring from the Sao Paulo GP due to the damage he had suffered from crashing into Franco Colapinto. Leclerc was the innocent victim of Oscar Piastri and Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s crash.

READ MORE: Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc’s life outside F1 from net worth to girlfriend

Leclerc has largely carried Ferrari this term, having scored 214 of their 362 points so far, yet the 28-year-old still found himself in Elkann’s crosshairs. So, Ralf Schumacher thinks Leclerc should ask Elkann why he made his remarks but also get his manager to find him a “Plan B”.

Schumacher told Sky Germany: “If I were Charles Leclerc, I’d definitely ask what the point of this is.

“I think Leclerc is doing a fantastic job, and [he is] getting the best out of both the team and himself. He’s also a likeable guy, who fits right in at Ferrari – a family man, getting married soon. I’d send my manager over and ask what’s going on.

“In situations like this, I’ve always had a Plan B with my manager. And I’d do the same in his position, because I wouldn’t let myself be taken for a ride.”

Charles Leclerc could find his home away from Ferrari at Aston Martin or Red Bull

Schumacher has also suggested that the recent reports linking Leclerc with a move to Aston Martin might have inspired Elkann’s attack. F1 Oversteer understands that Aston Martin are interested in signing Leclerc in 2027, as they may replace Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.

Leclerc has frequently been the subject of speculation concerning his future with Ferrari this year, and Elkann’s remarks have not helped to stop the gossip. It is now said that Leclerc can leave Ferrari for free in 2026, even if he were to win the F1 drivers’ championship next year.

His manager, Nicolas Todt, is also said to have already been searching for the potential back-up plan that Schumacher now claims Leclerc needs. It is thought that Leclerc’s manager has approached Red Bull to discuss the possibility of a drive being available for the 2027 season.

While Ferrari signed Leclerc to a £20m a year contract extension in January 2024 that is due to run through 2029, his deal includes release clauses that could open the exit door in 2026. So, Elkann should hope Ferrari ace the 2026 F1 regulations instead of attacking their drivers.