Helmut Marko Reveals One Condition That Allows Charles Leclerc to Break $25 Million Contract and Escape Ferrari Misery

Ferrari’s golden boy Charles Leclerc has had a torrid start to the 2023 season. Of the 3 races so far, the Monegasque has suffered 2 DNFs and only has 6 points to his name. Even in terms of performance, the youngster has failed to repeat his 2022 form.

Leclerc’s 2022 campaign was a misery in itself. After a stellar start, his performances flopped as Max Verstappen claimed his 2nd championship win with ease. After a poor start to the season, the Monegasque must have surely written off the chance of winning the title this year.

Leclerc has been much anticipated as Ferrari’s future world champion. Yet, he has neither enjoyed the luck nor the cars that can help him compete for the title. The frustration has grown on the driver and according to Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko.

Marko predicts Charles Leclerc could leave Ferrari

Leclerc signed a 5-year deal in 2019 with Ferrari which allows him to race until the 2024 season. However, Helmut Marko predicts the $25 Million a year earning driver could exit Ferrari sooner than expected.

According to him, both Leclerc and Ferrari have had tensions between them. Ferrari wants the 5-GP winner to secure their first driver’s championship in 17 years. Leclerc wants the same, but he is frustrated by the car’s lack of speed and his team’s poor strategy calls.

In such situations, there could be a tug-of-war between the two parties regarding a contract extension. Nevertheless, Marko believes there is one clause that could allow the Monegasque to leave his boyhood team.

 

He shared, “It is common for the driver to score a minimum number of points more or less quickly after the summer break. If this number of points is not reached, both parties are free to terminate the contract.” He stated that this clause allowed Sebastian Vettel to join Ferrari in 2015 after scoring just 167 points and no wins in 2014.

The Red Bull advisor also believes excluding Carlos Sainz from the line-up, won’t solve the team’s problems. Sainz has produced 20 of Ferrari’s 26 points in the first 3 races of 2023.

“Carlos is doing a good job. Ferrari has other problems than thinking about Sainz,” Marko said. Leclerc remains nervous that the team could start favoring the Spaniard over him if the results continue. This means the Monegasque could lose his ‘No.1’ driver’s role.

Will Leclerc go to Mercedes?

Charles Leclerc has repeatedly said that he will remain loyal to Ferrari. However, if the racer sees no chance of winning the title with the Italian outfit, there is a possibility of him leaving the team. And one team he has considered reportedly is 8-time champions Mercedes.

According to Italian F1 journalist Leo Turrini, it is an “open secret” that it is Leclerc could be negotiating a move to Mercedes. The Italian wrote in his Quotidiano Nazionale column, “Everyone knows about it, including in Maranello”.

Lewis Hamilton’s contract with Mercedes ends with the 2023 season. The Briton has not resumed talks with his team regarding a new deal. If the 7-time Champion considers retiring or leaving the team, then Mercedes will not hesitate on signing Leclerc says Turrini.

He wrote, “Leclerc understands that time is ticking.” He added, “If Lewis Hamilton decides to leave, then Mercedes will want to get a champion-level driver to partner with George Russell.”

Previously Eddie Jordan claimed Hamilton was frustrated with Mercedes’s inability to win races or titles anymore. He too, claimed Ferrari will be a good fit for the Briton if he wants to fight for his 8th championship. The former Jordan owner believes, there is a possibility that a Leclerc-Hamilton swap could be organized by the two teams if the drivers decide to leave.