When Charles Leclerc climbed onto the podium at the 2025 Mexico City Grand Prix, few moments summed up his Ferrari journey better. A cool, controlled second place behind Lando Norris marked not just another solid weekend — it was his 50th podium for Scuderia Ferrari, cementing his name among the Maranello legends.
In an era defined by dominance from Red Bull and McLaren, Leclerc’s consistency has kept Ferrari in the conversation. He may still be chasing that elusive world title, but 50 podiums in red is an achievement that speaks volumes — of talent, endurance, and relentless faith in a team still searching for its next golden era.
Leclerc’s Ferrari Legacy So Far
Leclerc joined Ferrari in 2019, replacing Kimi Räikkönen and instantly lighting up the sport. His raw pace, fearless overtakes, and emotional victories in Spa and Monza that season made him an instant fan favourite.
Fast forward six years, and he’s become the backbone of Ferrari’s modern era. Fifty podiums isn’t just a statistic — it’s a sign of resilience through rule changes, leadership shifts, and fluctuating car performance.
Across those 50 podiums, Leclerc has delivered:
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8 wins
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17 second places
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25 third places
And countless near-misses and heartbreaks that make Ferrari fandom what it is — dramatic, emotional, and unforgettable.
Where 50 Podiums Puts Him Among Ferrari Legends
Reaching 50 podiums places Leclerc in elite company within Ferrari’s storied history. Only a handful of drivers have achieved that milestone for the Scuderia — a team that has fielded some of F1’s greatest champions.
Here’s how Leclerc ranks among Ferrari’s most successful podium scorers:
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Michael Schumacher – 116 podiums (1996–2006)
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Sebastian Vettel – 55 podiums (2015–2020)
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Rubens Barrichello – 55 podiums (2000–2005)
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Kimi Räikkönen – 52 podiums (2007–2009, 2014–2018)
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Charles Leclerc – 50 podiums (2019–present)
Leclerc now ranks 5th for Ferrari podiums and sits just two podiums behind matching Raikkonen’s career tally for the team. When you consider the relative competitiveness of his machinery, that’s remarkable.
Unlike Schumacher, who had a dominant car for much of his run, Leclerc has achieved this milestone during one of Ferrari’s most inconsistent eras. He’s rarely had the fastest car — but he’s almost always been the one extracting its limits.
How It Ranks in the Wider F1 Landscape
Within the broader scope of Formula 1, Leclerc’s 50 podiums put him among the top 20 drivers in the sport’s 75-year history. He’s now sits level with former worldchampion Jenson Button and sits just behind Mika Hakkinen (51) and Niki Lauda (54).
At only 27 years old, the Monegasque still has time on his side. With Ferrari expected to remain competitive through the 2026 regulation overhaul, there’s every chance he could climb toward the century mark by the end of the decade — joining names like Hamilton, Alonso, Vettel, and Schumacher in the triple-digit club.
Leclerc’s Defining Podiums
Monza 2019 – The Tifosi’s Hero Is Born
No podium in Leclerc’s career will ever be as special as his first Ferrari win at Monza. In front of an ecstatic home crowd, Leclerc held off both Mercedes drivers in a masterclass of defensive driving. The image of him standing atop the podium, tears in his eyes, with a sea of red below remains one of F1’s most iconic moments of the 2010s.
Silverstone 2021 – The Heartbreak Win That Wasn’t
For 49 laps, Leclerc looked set to win Ferrari’s first British GP in over a decade — only for Lewis Hamilton to snatch victory in the closing stages. Despite finishing second, it was a turning point that showed Ferrari were rebuilding around him.
Austria 2022 – The Return to Winning Ways
Leclerc finally beat Verstappen in a straight fight at the Red Bull Ring, controlling the race despite late reliability scares. It ended a 33-race win drought for Ferrari and re-ignited hopes of a title challenge.
Las Vegas 2023 – The Street Fighter
In F1’s return to Las Vegas, Leclerc produced a dazzling drive under the lights. His late lunge on Sergio Pérez to reclaim P2 symbolised the aggression and artistry that make him one of the best pure racers on the grid.
Mexico 2025 – The 50th Podium
Fittingly, Leclerc’s 50th podium came not in chaos or luck, but through precision. Holding off Verstappen and managing tyres perfectly, he finished second behind Norris — a reflection of maturity and calm under pressure.
What Leclerc Said
Speaking after Mexico, Leclerc downplayed the milestone but acknowledged its meaning:
“It’s a nice number, of course, but what matters is that we’re improving. Every year with Ferrari means more to me. The goal is to turn these podiums into wins.”
That humility has always defined him — passionate yet grounded, aware that records mean little without championships.
What Comes Next
Ferrari’s form in late 2025 has been encouraging. The SF-25 is no longer a wildcard — it’s a consistent podium contender, and with the F1 2026 Regulations looming, the team is already working on a power-unit overhaul that could finally end Red Bull and McLaren’s duopoly.
Leclerc, meanwhile, has made it clear his long-term goal remains unchanged: to win a title with Ferrari, not elsewhere. As rumours swirl about drivers moving teams in 2027, he insists:
“My only obsession is to win with Ferrari.”
That obsession — combined with 50 podiums and counting — has already carved his place among the Scuderia greats.
Final Thoughts
Fifty podiums is more than a milestone — it’s a mirror of Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari story: speed, heartbreak, brilliance, and faith. He’s become the modern face of the team, bridging the gap between the chaos of the post-Vettel era and Ferrari’s next championship push.
He may not yet have the silverware of Schumacher or the luck of Alonso, but if loyalty, grit, and sheer pace count for anything, Leclerc’s best days in red are still ahead. And when the next podium comes — whether in Brazil, Abu Dhabi or beyond — it won’t just be another statistic. It’ll be another chapter in Ferrari’s longest-running love story.
