Few things excite fans and cause a stir more than Formula 1 drivers changing teams, which is why the silly season is one of the most anticipated happenings every year in the F1 community. The silly season for this year is just getting started, and rumors about driver changes two years from now are already making the rounds. Which drivers have a starring role in this? The Ferrari duo of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. 

It’s no secret that Ferrari isn’t the same team it used to be in its glory days. It’s barely won any races in the past few seasons. And what was at one point a team every driver dreamed of racing for is no longer that team, not for Charles Leclerc and not for Carlos Sainz. So it doesn’t sound too absurd listening to rumors about the two wanting to leave the Maranello outfit. So what are their rumored options?

Charles Leclerc could go from red to silver

According to F1 journalist Joe Saward’s blog, “The rumor mill now thinks Carlos Sainz will go off to Audi in 2026, while others think Charles Leclerc will go mad if he stays where he is at Ferrari and that Mercedes would love to have him. I am not saying any of this is true, I am merely pointing out the chitchat.” Audi will enter F1 in 2026 by taking a stake in Sauber, which currently races as Alfa Romeo using Ferrari engines. Not many teams have shown interest in signing Sainz recently, and considering his contract at Ferrari ends in 2025, Audi might not be a bad option. 

Coming to Leclerc. He joined Ferrari in hopes of winning the championship. But that doesn’t seem likely to happen at present. Red Bull appears to have shown interest in him, but according to rumors, Mercedes might be the right fit. The Brackley-based team worth $2.7 billion has been previously eyeing Charles as a potential replacement for Lewis Hamilton.

Toto Wolff even alluded that he would love to get the Monegasque driver sometime in the future. Therefore, Saward’s claim may not be just another speculation as even F1 journalist Peter Windsor made similar remarks.

Read More: Furious Charles Leclerc Points at Ferrari’s Flaws for the Horror Show at British GP Despite the Bad Luck

When asked who he would choose to replace Hamilton at Mercedes, he said, “I think Charles is such an interesting driver, in such an interesting time of his career because he’s very good, but he’s not looking very good. He’s obviously got issues going on in his head to do with all the stuff that comes with the dramas at Ferrari and everywhere else. For me, the challenge would be to get the best from Charles, and I would love to do that.” If both drivers are to leave Ferrari at the end of 2025, who will replace them?

Could Lando Norris replace Charles Leclerc at Ferrari?

Lando Norris is a hot topic in F1 right now, especially after his second-place finish at the British GP in his upgraded MCL60. Receiving praise from Red Bull taskmaster Helmut Marko is a big deal, and after Norris’ Silverstone showing, Marko called him the “strongest of the young drivers.” Although Red Bull has shown interest in the young Brit, Joe Saward thinks he might move to Ferrari.

In his blog, he said, “Lando may already have some kind of pre-contract with Ferrari. I cannot see that as being a logical career path, given where Ferrari currently is, but then going to Red Bull and trying to beat Max Verstappen is also a career path from hell.” But considering how McLaren has developed this season and will try to continue doing so, would Norris want to leave if he thinks McLaren is the place for him?

Do you think the Ferrari duo will stay at Maranello past their contract periods?

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