Charles Leclerc is reportedly going to sign a five-year contract extension with Ferrari despite having had a miserable 2023 season so far. The Monegasque has just registered three podiums this year and seems far away from achieving his dream of winning a world championship. Similarly to Leclerc, his Ferrari teammate Carlos Sainz has not enjoyed a much better season either. With the Spaniard having failed to register even a podium this year, there are rumors that he may switch to Alpine.
While Sainz could be on his way out of Ferrari, Leclerc is unlikely to find himself in a similar situation because of the close bond he shares with the team. Not only has Leclerc repeatedly expressed his desire to win with Ferrari, but so has the team to win with the 25-year-old.
Good to be back on the podium !
Good race today, we maximized everything. Now time to recharge the batteries for a few weeks 🙂 pic.twitter.com/GN0lArKEh5— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) July 30, 2023
Ferrari seems to have such a close bond with Leclerc that team principal Fred Vasseur has also been accused of favoring the Monegasque over Sainz. It is perhaps this reason why the 28-year-old is keen to leave the Prancing Horse.
Charles Leclerc signs a new deal with Ferrari after running out of options
According to a report issued by funoanalisitecnica.com, Charles Leclerc has already signed a contract extension with Ferrari. The report states that he has signed a 2+3 extension after his current deal expires at the end of the next season.
The report also adds that the only thing Leclerc is hoping from Ferrari is to see hard work and real desire from the team to try their best to provide him with a car that is capable of fighting for the world championship. While the Monegasque does not seem to have too many demands from Ferrari, it is pertinent to note that he does not even have too many options either.
This is because Red Bull already has a star in Max Verstappen, who is unlikely to welcome a formidable rival like Leclerc in the team. On the other hand, Mercedes see a future in the team with George Russell and are keen to see the young Briton win with them once Lewis Hamilton retires from the sport.
On the other hand, when it comes to Carlos Sainz, the report states that he is likely to leave Ferrari because he has not been receiving the same treatment as Leclerc. It is this reason why Sainz’s father is also helping his son to secure a move to Alpine.
Carlos Sainz could lead Alpine if he joins them
During his last two years with Ferrari, Carlos Sainz seems to have grown from strength to strength as on several occasions this year he has also managed to beat his teammate, Charles Leclerc. Since Sainz has all the tools and the experience to be a top driver in the sport, he could lead Alpine if the team decides to sign him in the future.
According to the report issued by funoanalisitecnica.com, there is a real possibility that Sainz leaves the Prancing Horse because of how discontent he finds himself at the team, having not received the same deal as Leclerc. Hence, with him desperate to move to a rival, the report states that his father, Carlos Sainz sr, is already contacting his connections at Alpine to negotiate a move for his son.
