Leclerc expects to race as Ferrari prepares backup plan
NXTbets Pro | Published On: October 23, 2026
Leclerc’s family plans
Charles Leclerc does not expect to miss any Formula 1 races as the birth of his first child gets closer, even as he prepares for a hectic stretch between the personal milestone and the closing rounds of the season. Leclerc said his first child with his wife, Alexandra Saint Mleux, is due imminently, and he plans to handle the moment in a way that keeps him in the cockpit as much as possible. He said he will do everything he can to be home between races, stay in Monaco as long as he can and then fly out late if needed. That approach could leave him arriving late for some race weekends, but Leclerc made clear that his priority is to be present for the birth without expecting it to force him to skip races. He said he still plans to race on Sundays, and his message to Ferrari was straightforward, he intends to keep competing while balancing family obligations.
Ferrari’s backup options
Ferrari has started contingency planning in case Leclerc does have to miss a race before the end of the season, with official reserve driver Antonio Giovinazzi the main backup option. The team has other names in its wider orbit, but Oliver Bearman and Rafael Camara are not expected to get the call if Ferrari needs a replacement. Giovinazzi is the most direct solution because of his status as Ferrari’s reserve, yet his availability is also uncertain for the Brazilian Grand Prix because of World Endurance Championship commitments in Monza. That possibility gives Ferrari a layer of complexity. Leclerc said Ferrari’s small upgrade package should help, but he did not expect it to alter the competitive order much. Ferrari has not won since the British Grand Prix in early July, so any interruption at the driver level would add another complication.
Leclerc’s race focus
Leclerc arrived in Austin ahead of the United States Grand Prix fifth in the drivers’ standings with 215 points, 125 behind championship leader Kimi Antonelli, and he expects the fight at the front to stay tight at Circuit of the Americas. He described the battle among the top four teams as very close. Leclerc said the team’s main goal for the rest of 2026 should be fighting for wins, not settling simply for second place in the constructors’ championship. That view matches the tone of his broader comments, which centered on performance rather than bookkeeping in the standings. He said winning again before the end of the season would send a better signal heading into next year, a statement that frames Ferrari’s priorities in clear terms. Leclerc’s own outlook is equally direct. He wants to keep racing and still give Ferrari a chance to end the year with a victory that carries real weight into the next season.
