Charles Leclerc is reportedly contemplating his future at Ferrari despite being contracted to the Scuderia until 2029.
Leclerc is reportedly "looking around" at potential opportunities, particularly with significant regulation changes approaching next year.
The report indicates he is losing faith in Ferrari's project and exploring alternative options.
The 27-year-old's frustration reportedly stems from Ferrari's inability to match the performance of rivals, including Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen.
Sources suggest Leclerc has been reflecting on Piastri's seven Grand Prix victories compared to his own eight wins across seven seasons.
Ferrari's struggles this season have been limited to just two podium finishes in Monaco and Barcelona, prompting concerns about the team's competitive ceiling.
Charles Leclerc has not been happy with Ferrari's performance
ReutersAccording to Italian publication Corriere della Sera, the Monegasque driver is considering a sensational departure after seven seasons with the iconic Formula One team.
Mercedes has emerged as a possible destination for the Monegasque driver.
George Russell's contract expires at the end of the season, and whilst some reports suggest Toto Wolff is pursuing Max Verstappen, the Mercedes team principal also maintains a long-standing interest in Leclerc.
JUST IN: Lothar Matthäus, 64, pictured with new 26-year-old 'girlfriend' following fifth divorce
Aston Martin could present another attractive option, especially with Adrian Newey now overseeing their car design.
However, questions remain about whether the Silverstone-based team will be competitive when new regulations take effect in 2026.
Wolff's interest in securing Leclerc's services was apparently thwarted by Lewis Hamilton's unexpected switch to Ferrari.
"I expected that sooner or later Lewis Hamilton would leave us, but I didn't think it would be this soon," the Austrian revealed.
READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton, 40, sparks social media controversy ahead of Canadian Grand Prix
Charles Leclerc is contracted to Ferrari until 2029PA"This way, he didn't give me the chance to talk with Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris, whom I could have brought here to Mercedes, but they had just renewed their respective contracts. I didn't even get a chance to try."
The Mercedes boss's admission highlights how Hamilton's move disrupted potential driver market negotiations.
With Russell's future beyond this season still uncertain, Wolff may yet have another opportunity to pursue Leclerc should the Ferrari driver seek an exit.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Toto Wolff may be looking to pick up Charles Leclerc
PAMeanwhile, Hamilton's transition to Ferrari has been fraught with difficulties. The seven-time world champion reportedly feels he is not being "listened to" by his new team, according to the same report.
His frustration has manifested in tense exchanges with race engineer Riccardo Adami throughout his first nine races in red.
The British driver has endured a challenging start since leaving Mercedes, consistently finding himself outperformed by Leclerc.
Hamilton's struggles compound Ferrari's broader issues, with both drivers unable to mount a serious challenge against their rivals.
The team's apparent communication problems with Hamilton add another layer of concern to an already difficult season for the Maranello outfit.
Most Read
