Charles Leclerc has been Ferrari’s golden boy for years, but 2025 could finally be the season where he mounts a legitimate title challenge. So far, he’s shown flashes of brilliance, but the Scuderia hasn’t quite given him the machinery to fight for a championship across an entire season.
Yet, Ferrari’s late-2024 resurgence, paired with Leclerc’s own form, has created a genuine sense of optimism. Could he follow Max Verstappen’s path and capitalize on his first true title opportunity? The ingredients are there, but the road to F1 glory is never straightforward.
The Verstappen Parallel: A First-Real-Shot Scenario?
Before 2021, Max Verstappen was widely regarded as one of the most talented drivers on the grid, but without the machinery to take on Mercedes, he was limited to sporadic victories. Once Red Bull finally delivered a title-caliber car, Verstappen didn’t hesitate to seize the opportunity.
For Leclerc, the 2025 season might mirror Verstappen’s 2021 breakthrough. While Ferrari isn’t a dominant force yet, its post-summer 2024 form suggests that the Maranello squad could be a serious contender.
- Leclerc scored more points than any other driver after the summer break
- Ferrari outscored all rivals, including Red Bull and McLaren, in the final leg of the season
- Leclerc cut back on mistakes and showcased his best F1 season yet
Simply put, Ferrari ended 2024 as the most in-form team—something it hasn’t been able to say for years. If that momentum carries into 2025, Leclerc could be the biggest threat to Verstappen’s reign.
The Hamilton Factor: A Battle for Ferrari’s Top Spot
While Leclerc may be Ferrari’s long-term future, the team now has Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, joining its ranks. The media attention and narrative will be centered around Hamilton’s blockbuster move, but internally, Leclerc remains Ferrari’s best shot at a title—at least in the early season.
- Leclerc knows the team inside-out
- He has already adapted to Ferrari’s challenging car philosophy
- Hamilton struggled with ground-effect regulations at Mercedes
Many believe that Leclerc will have the edge over Hamilton at the start of the season, simply because the Monegasque driver has been in the trenches with Ferrari through its highs and lows. However, if Ferrari’s 2025 challenger is strong, Hamilton’s racecraft and experience could turn the tables.
Can Leclerc withstand Hamilton’s presence and remain Ferrari’s clear #1 driver? That could be one of the biggest storylines of the season.
Why 2025 is Leclerc’s Best Chance Yet
Several factors are aligning to make 2025 Leclerc’s most realistic title shot so far:
1. Ferrari’s Competitive Surge
Ferrari’s post-summer break transformation was the strongest we’ve seen from the team in years. While it wasn’t dominant, it consistently challenged McLaren and Red Bull—something that didn’t seem possible at the start of the year.
- Ferrari was faster than Red Bull in multiple races late in 2024
- McLaren was the only team with a slight advantage in outright pace
- Leclerc’s race pace and consistency improved dramatically
With the right winter developments, Ferrari could start 2025 as the team to beat.
2. Consistency, Not Just Speed
Leclerc’s biggest weakness in past seasons was his tendency to make crucial mistakes under pressure. But in 2024, he:
- Showed remarkable consistency
- Scored podiums in 13 races—only one fewer than Verstappen
- Won three races despite Ferrari not being the fastest car
If Leclerc carries this form into 2025, and Ferrari maintains its strong development curve, there’s no reason why he can’t sustain a title fight.
3. A Reset in the Competitive Order
The 2025 season starts from zero. Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes will all be pushing hard to dethrone Red Bull before the 2026 regulation changes bring a fresh reset. If Red Bull isn’t miles ahead like it was in 2023 and the first half of 2024, the championship could be wide open.
Leclerc’s biggest competitors—Verstappen, Norris, and Hamilton—will all be in the mix, but he might just have the best combination of pace, team backing, and motivation to seize his moment.
Can Leclerc Get it Done?
Ultimately, Leclerc’s 2025 season will come down to two key factors:
- Can Ferrari finally give him a title-worthy car for the full season?
- Can he handle the pressure and execute when it matters?
If the answer to both is yes, then Leclerc might finally shake off years of frustration and become Formula 1’s newest world champion.
If not? The window may not stay open for long.
