Charles Leclerc told Mercedes and Red Bull won't want him as Ferrari ace 'stuck'

18 May 2023 , 19:31

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There has been plenty of speculation about Charles Leclerc's F1 future (Image: Getty Images)

Charles Leclerc has been told that the likes of Red Bull and Mercedes are unlikely to be keen on signing him if he chooses to walk away from Ferrari.

The Monegasque's future has been a big topic of conversation in recent weeks. His current contract expires at the end of next season and team boss Frederic Vasseur has made it clear that renewal talks are not a priority right now.

Given Ferrari's struggles, speculation has suggested Leclerc might be looking elsewhere. He has been heavily linked with a move to Mercedes in the event Lewis Hamilton retires or leaves for another team, while there have also been suggestions Red Bull might look to partner him with Max Verstappen.

But Damon Hill is not convinced that either of those teams would truly be interested in dropping their current options in favour of Leclerc. Speaking on the Sky Sports F1 podcast, the 1996 drivers' champion expressed his belief that he is "stuck at Ferrari".

Hill said: "He's never really been in an extended campaign for the championship. There have always been moments that it's been good and then they've faded, and he's also had these blots on his copybook with qualifying, the banzai lap that goes wrong and stuff.

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"When you look around at the top teams and who they have in their teams, they're probably content with what they've got at the moment. I'm not sure that there's anywhere else for him to go.

Damon Hill doubts there will be much interest in Leclerc from the top F1 teams (Sky Sports)

"Red Bull, I doubt it. Mercedes, I'm sure that Toto will be sticking with Lewis until Lewis decides he's not going to race anymore, and I think Charles is the perfect fit for Ferrari. So I think he's there for the long term, until they give him a car that he can go for a championship with."

Questioned about his future by reporters, Leclerc recently insisted there is "really zero" truth in the claim that he has been speaking with Mercedes. "You all smile because you don't believe me, but I promise," he said.

"For now, I am fully focused on the project I am in today, which is Ferrari, and I fully trust and am confident for the future. Then we will see, but I am fully confident for the project of Ferrari."

Daniel Moxon