Mika Hakkinen Urges Charles Leclerc to Stay with Ferrari Amidst Exit Rumors

Double F1 World Champion Mika Hakkinen has publicly urged Charles Leclerc to remain loyal to Ferrari, drawing parallels to his own championship-winning journey with McLaren. This comes amidst growing speculation about Leclerc's future, fueled by his outspoken frustrations with Ferrari's performance and a rumored offer from the prospective Cadillac F1 team.

Why it matters:

Ferrari, a team steeped in F1 history, has struggled to provide Leclerc with a consistent championship-contending car despite his undeniable talent. His potential departure would be a significant blow to the Scuderia, while his retention could signal a renewed commitment to their long-term vision, especially with major regulation changes on the horizon for 2026.

The Details:

• Leclerc's Frustration: After seven years and eight Grand Prix wins, Leclerc has yet to mount a serious title challenge with Ferrari. He finished runner-up in 2022, but a combination of team and driver errors left him far behind Max Verstappen.
• Recent Comments: Following a P6 finish at the Singapore Grand Prix, Leclerc openly criticized Ferrari's car, stating, "we don’t have the race car to fight with the guys in front... we are passengers to the car and we cannot extract much more."
• Internal Reaction: These comments reportedly angered Ferrari engineers, with Italian media like Corriere dello Sport and Gazzetta dello Sport highlighting strained relations within the team.
• Manager's Stance: Leclerc's manager, Nicholas Todt, has not ruled out a move for 2026, stating, "He’s not a kid anymore... We need a winning car... I expect a very hot market."
• Hakkinen's Plea: Mika Hakkinen, who won two titles with McLaren, advised Leclerc to trust Ferrari's management, recalling how his own loyalty eventually led to success.
  • Hakkinen emphasized the importance of teamwork and perseverance, even if it takes "1-2-3 years" for the team to get all aspects correct.
• 2026 Regulations: The upcoming 2026 season will introduce significant regulatory changes, including all-new engines (50/50 combustion and electrical power) and smaller, lighter cars with active aerodynamics. Hakkinen believes this could reset the pecking order, favoring teams with strong design capabilities.
• Cadillac's Offer: Mario Andretti, a board member of the prospective Cadillac F1 team, has expressed strong interest in signing Leclerc, stating, "I’m a big fan of Leclerc, and if he ever wanted to change teams, I’d take him on at Cadillac right away."
  • However, Andretti conceded that Cadillac would need "a couple of years" to build a competitive package worthy of a talent like Leclerc.

What's next:

The 2026 regulations offer a fresh start, potentially allowing Ferrari to design a championship-caliber car. Leclerc's decision will likely hinge on the team's ability to demonstrate tangible progress in the coming seasons and convince him that their long-term vision aligns with his championship aspirations. His contract status for 2026 will be a key factor in the upcoming "hot market" for drivers.