Xavier Marcos, Charles Leclerc’s former track engineer, reflects on his F1 experience
After several years in Formula 1 with Ferrari, notably as Charles Leclerc's track engineer, Xavier Marcos was interviewed by formula1.it. He talked about how the Monegasque driver learns from his team-mates, and about Ferrari's chances of winning the constructors' championship next season.

Xavier Marcos: “At Ferrari, you feel like you’re part of history”
Xavier Marcos, former track engineer for Charles Leclerc, opened up to Alessio Ciancola in an exclusive interview published on February 9 on Formula1.it. Now technical director at Cadillac in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), the Spanish engineer has had a rich career, spanning NASCAR, several F1 teams, and especially Scuderia Ferrari, where he accompanied Charles Leclerc since his arrival in 2019. His time in Maranello deeply impacted him, as he explains: « You arrive at the track, you’re in the garage and everything is red, and you start to feel [like] part of history. You are in the team with the greatest history that exists. »
But before reaching the top, his journey was marked by formative experiences. Graduating in engineering in Barcelona, he started as a mechanic in karting before climbing the ranks in Formula Renault, GP2, and F3000. He entered F1 in 2010 with the modest HRT team, where he learned to juggle limited resources. Following a stint with Williams, he ventured into NASCAR before being recruited by Ferrari in 2018.
Leclerc and his former teammates: a continuous learning process
Xavier Marcos closely followed Charles Leclerc’s evolution alongside his various teammates, notably Sebastian Vettel. According to him, the Monegasque learned a lot from him, especially in being truly focused on details. This aspect strengthened his progress, just like Carlos Sainz’s rigor and consistency. With Charles, we always took this aspect as a reference, adds the engineer. An adaptability that could still be a major asset in the coming years.
For his part, Marcos has a strong memory of his work with Leclerc: « Charles is an exceptional driver, with an incredible natural talent. He is also a humble person, always respectful. Despite the fame and pressure of being at Ferrari, he has never changed. »
The arrival of Hamilton: a challenge for Leclerc
The transfer of Lewis Hamilton to Ferrari in 2025 generates immense anticipation, including within the team. Xavier Marcos reveals that Charles Leclerc’s first reaction to this announcement was to immediately wonder what he could learn from Lewis, how he could improve: the right approach in motorsport. An attitude that once again reflects the Monegasque’s mindset, always focused on improvement.
Marcos nevertheless acknowledges that the arrival of the Briton will represent a challenge for Leclerc. Not only will he have to face a seven-time world champion internally, but he will also have to ensure that this coexistence benefits the team rather than creating tensions.
The key factor for Ferrari’s success in 2025
If Ferrari wants to return to victory, several elements will need to align. According to Xavier Marcos, the Maranello team has all the necessary skills to aim high, just as Leclerc possesses the qualities to lead this project. But one unknown remains: the adaptation of Lewis Hamilton. After so many years at Mercedes, transitioning to a new structure and technical philosophy presents a significant challenge. The faster his adaptation, the better it will be for Ferrari and for him, emphasizes Marcos. A parameter that could make all the difference in the title quest.
On his side, Marcos has moved on from F1 and is now focusing on his role as technical director at Cadillac in WEC and IMSA. A position that allows him to have a broader perspective on car development, away from the stress of Grand Prix weekends. However, he does not hide that Scuderia Ferrari will always be an important part of his career: « Ferrari will always be a part of my life. Before, it wasn’t there, now it is, and it always will be. »
As the 2025 season begins to take shape, Ferrari finds itself facing a unique opportunity. With a pair of drivers of this caliber and a determined technical team, the hope of a return to the top has never seemed so credible.