Former Formula 1 driver Jacques Villeneuve has a bleak outlook for Charles Leclerc‘s future at Ferrari. According to the 1997 world champion, the Monegasque will never become a world champion in Scuderia red. ‘He has been with Ferrari for a long time, and is therefore a bit past his prime,’ concludes Villeneuve.
Charles Leclerc is currently participating in his seventh Grand Prix weekend at Monza in Ferrari red. Last year, the Monegasque gave the tifosi a reason to celebrate by securing his very first victory at the Italian GP. A good result in the first free practice at Monza this year – with Leclerc coming second on the time sheet, behind teammate Lewis Hamilton – gives the attending Ferrari fans hope for a repeat of the result from twelve months ago.
This hope comes amidst a rather challenging year for the Scuderia. Neither of the Ferrari drivers have claimed a victory this season – although Leclerc did finish in second place in Monaco. In addition, the Monegasque often sounds irritated over the team radio during Grand Prix. Former Formula 1 driver Jacques Villeneuve believes he knows why. “Charles is frustrated because he is probably beginning to realize that he will never become a world champion,” the former world champion tells The F1 Show podcast.
‘Lewis is Already a Global Superstar’
“Next year (2026), entirely new rules will be in effect, and typically, this is not when Ferrari is at its best, so it’s a difficult situation for him,” the Canadian continues his analysis. “He’s been around for a long time and is somewhat past his prime.”
Although Leclerc’s teammate Lewis Hamilton often feels disheartened as a Ferrari driver – the world champion recently described himself as ‘useless’ for the team in Hungary – the Brit has an advantage over Leclerc. “Lewis is, after all, a multiple world champion, so it doesn’t matter if his heyday is over. He will always remain that global superstar, whose influence extends beyond F1.”
