The 2023 title seems to have slipped out of Ferrari’s hands. However, Charles Leclerc has faith in his team’s ability to push for the title in 2024. And the driver has finally agreed to extend his stay at Maranello.
The Monegasque is ready to commit to a new deal with Ferrari which will see the driver stay beyond the 2024 season. However, Leclerc has put forward certain demands that the Italian outfit needs to abide by.
Charles Leclerc is ready to sign a new contract with Ferrari
According to Formula.Uno, Ferrari and Charles Leclerc have begun talks about a possible contract extension. It is looking positive that the 5-time GP-winning driver will sign a new deal with Ferrari.
Ferrari’s chairman John Elkann visited Maranello recently to address some key issues. Out of which they had discussed a new deal for the Monegasque driver. However, the driver has certain demands from his team before committing to a new deal.
🎙️| “If Ferrari offered you a lifetime contract, would you sign it?”
Charles Leclerc: “Staying in red forever would be a dream. Driving for Ferrari is the dream of every driver, and I’m living it.” 🥹 pic.twitter.com/zOImYblzoT
— Ferrari News 🐎 (@FanaticsFerrari) October 6, 2022
After the disappointment in 2022 and 2023, Leclerc wants the team to be clear of his championship-winning ambitions. He wants the Scuderia to deliver a competitive car that can fend off Max Verstappen and Red Bull.
Ferrari has also promised the racer, of bringing in high-profile talents from their rivals. This comes after rumors that the Scuderia wants to sign Enrico Balbo, Paul Monaghan, and Pierre Wachè from Red Bull.
Leclerc currently has a contract with Ferrari until the end of the 2024 season. He earns about $24 Million per season driving for the Italian team. Talks will continue over the summer break and confirmation could be announced before the season ends.
Leclerc reaffirms his love for Ferrari despite Mercedes’s interests
Recent rumors claimed Mercedes and Ferrari were readying up for a high-profile driver swap. Charles Leclerc was to head to Brackley with Ferrari singing 7x world champion Lewis Hamilton.
The rumors increased after Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was seen talking with the Ferrari driver. However, the Monegasque driver dismissed the rumors, claiming he has made no contact with Mercedes.
He spoke ahead of the 2023 Azerbaijan GP, “I am fully focused on the project I am in today, which is Ferrari, and I have full confidence in the future.” He denied having any talks with Mercedes.
Leclerc continued, “I’m completely dedicated to Ferrari and I love Ferrari. I’ve always dreamed of being in this team and my main priority is to win a world championship with this team. So it’s not something that comes to my mind to change teams.”
Wolff too denied the rumors, saying their primary target is to retain Hamilton. However, the driver remains on Mercedes’s radar as a long-term target.
Will we witness the switch of the century- where Leclerc wins a championship in Silver and Hamilton retires in Red? Or will loyalty overcome it all?
