Charles Leclerc has commited his F1 future to Ferrari with a new contract.
Leclerc has driven for Ferrari since the 2019 season after he came through their academy with GP3 and F2 titles, and has gone on to claim five wins plus 25 further podium finishes on top of 23 Grands Prix pole poisitions and a single Sprint Race pole.
No specific contract length has been announced by Ferrari but it is thought that Leclerc has signed a deal until end of 2029 season.
Italy’s Gazetta dello Sport in December 2023 claimed that Leclerc will receive a rise from his current €25 million (£21.5m) salary to a maximum €50m (£42.9m), with the 26 year-old holding a performance exit clause up until the end of 2027 season.
Addressing his decision to commit his future to Ferrari, Leclerc commented: “I’m very pleased to know that I will be wearing the Scuderia Ferrari race suit for several more seasons to come.
“To race for this team has been my dream since I was three years old: I used to watch the Monaco Grand Prix from the window of a friend’s apartment at Ste. Devote corner and I would always look out for the red cars.
“This team is my second family ever since I joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2016 and we have achieved a lot together, fighting through thick and thin over the past five years.”
Leclerc is now targeting a first F1 title with Ferrari and more wins as he continued: “However, I believe the best is yet to come and I can’t wait for this season to start, to make further progress and be competitive at every race.
“My dream remains that of winning the World Championship with Ferrari and I’m sure that in the years ahead, we will enjoy great times together and make our fans happy.”
Ferrari Team Principal, Fred Vasseur stated that Leclerc’s values and bond “are interwined” with Ferrari which made the contract renewal a “natural” step.
Vasseur also iterated that the team are keen to provide Leclerc with a chance to fight for the title as he added: “We know him for his incessant desire to push himself to the limit and we appreciate his extraordinary abilities when it comes to fighting and overtaking in a race.
“We are determined to give Charles a winning car and I know that his determination and commitment are elements that can make the difference in helping us reach our goals.”
Carlos Sainz’s contract meanwhile is set to expire at the end of this season but Gazetta dello Sport have claimed that the Spaniard is in discussions with Ferrari over a two-year contract until the end of 2027 season.
Ferrari however are allegedly are keen on a one-year extension and consider Sainz’s ex McLaren teammate – Lando Norris as a candidate to replace the Spaniard for 2026, once the Brit’s contract at McLaren expires but are anticipating competition from Red Bull and Mercedes for his service.
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