Leclerc’s speed and steel are qualities needed to win championships

Ferrari are enduring a very difficult spell in their illustrious history as the Scuderia haven't won the Drivers' Championship since 2007.

The Italian team are the most successful in Formula 1 history but haven't won a drivers' title since Kimi Raikkonen 18 years ago.

Leclerc was an immediate fan favourite at Ferrari after winning the Italian Grand Prix in his debut season, fending off both Mercedes at Monza.

That triumph was his second consecutive win after Leclerc took his first victory in F1 a week earlier at the Belgian Grand Prix.

Leclerc is superb in qualifying and outqualified his seven-time world champion teammate Lewis Hamilton by 19-5 this year.

He also took a front row spot for the Monaco Grand Prix with second place before finishing on the podium.

This good form was followed up at the Hungaroring with a pole position for the Italian team.

Leclerc was in contention to win the Hungarian Grand Prix before a dramatic loss in pace during the last stint and a P4 finish.

His prowess in balancing the car on a knife-edge was prominent in the final three rounds. Leclerc made Q3 in the last trio of events in 2025, while Hamilton couldn't advance out of the first knockout round.

Leclerc has also been able to manage wheel-to-wheel combat at the very front amid immense pressure.

The Ferrari driver's win at Monza in 2019 was when he stamped his authority.

During the Grand Prix, he led from pole and didn't wilt when Lewis Hamilton challenged Leclerc in a relentless assault.

More recently, Leclerc swept around the outside of George Russell at the Dutch Grand Prix this year.

The Ferrari driver had two wheels on the gravel at Turns 11 and 12, muscling his way past in a bold move.

Leclerc hasn't fought for a world championship in his career despite all his raw talent.

He did have half a chance in 2022 and battled Max Verstappen in the opening stages before Ferrari capitulated in the second half of the year. The Italian team failed to win any of the last 11 rounds.

Despite this, Leclerc has shown tremendous raw speed and has outscored world champion teammates Vettel and Hamilton during their time together.

The new rules in 2026 may provide Leclerc with a title-challenging car, but there will be a lot of competition at the sharp end of the grid.