Nov.20 (GMM) Influential Italian media retailers are signalling that Charles Leclerc has unexpectedly turn into one of many key drivers within the 2027 market – alongside Max Verstappen and Adrian Newey.
In response to La Gazzetta dello Sport, writers Luigi Perna and Mario Salvini describe Verstappen, Newey – as Aston Martin designer – and Leclerc because the “key gamers” shaping the following section of the driving force domino.
The paper claims the scenario hinges on “Max’s doubts about Pink Bull’s 2026 season and Leclerc’s rising unease at Ferrari”.
Regardless of Leclerc repeatedly declaring his love for Maranello, the tone in Italy is shifting – particularly after Ferrari president John Elkann’s latest public rebuke telling each Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton to “discuss much less”.
Hamilton responded to the Elkann controversy in Las Vegas.
“I’m at all times keen to speak much less to the press,” he laughed. “Severely, I feel all of us on this workforce have to take accountability and do our half.”
In the meantime, Leo Turrini writes in Quotidiano Nazionale that Leclerc’s supervisor Nicolas Todt has been “repeatedly contacted” by Aston Martin.
“A very good agent has the obligation to judge each possibility,” Turrini notes, including that with Newey now at Aston Martin, Honda arriving for 2026, and Fernando Alonso approaching 50 by 2027, the Silverstone primarily based workforce is aggressively exploring future lineups.
Turrini argues that the complete grid is in a “surplace” section – a monitor biking time period referring to stationary ready – with 2027 because the second drivers will dash.
“On the centre of the domino is Max Verstappen. And behind him, Leclerc’s urge for food grows,” he writes. “If Ferrari doesn’t work in 2026, who would guess on Charles staying?”
Turrini additionally renewed his criticism of Elkann’s public feedback.
“If Ferrari hasn’t received in 21 races and is fourth within the World Championship, the issue isn’t the drivers,” he’s quoted as saying by Sport1. “The actual challenge lies with the engineers and people who handle them.”
“If Elkann believes an excessive amount of speaking is the issue, he ought to change his advisors and managers.”
