“I Could Be a Driver Until I’m 60”: Charles Leclerc Ready to Serve in F1 Like Fernando Alonso Provided Ferrari Gives Him Reason to Stay

Tanish Chachra | 03/06/2023
"I Could Be a Driver Until I'm 60": Charles Leclerc Ready to Serve in F1 Like Fernando Alonso Provided Ferrari Gives Him Reason to Stay

Fernando Alonso is the old guard in F1. At 41, he is still continuing in apex motorsport and is dropping some exceptional performances, which is remarkable. But when Italy24 asked Charles Leclerc whether he would continue like Alonso in Formula 1, he claimed that if Ferrari keeps him happy, he will drive much longer than the Spaniard.

Though fun aside, Alonso is now an inspiration for drivers who, in their mid-thirties, are sidelined due to their age. The 41-year-old, at this stage of his career, is vying for podiums, and this weekend, in Spain, he may be aiming for a win while contesting against the 25-year-old Max Verstappen.

So, it has been a lesson for the entire grid that if there is determination, then age is just a number for drivers like Alonso. But for Leclerc, his first love- Ferrari needs to do something to keep him amidst the tarmac for decades to come.

Charles Leclerc obligates Ferrari to keep him happy to prolong his career

The Ferrari superstar was asked whether he will be pushing himself in F1 during his 40s like Alonso is doing. The Monegasque, who has loved only one team, responded that he could go well beyond his prime years if Ferrari keeps him happy with constant wins.

“I don’t know, it depends. If we win with Ferrari for 10 years, then I could be a driver until I’m 60,” said Leclerc. Though, he was only joking and didn’t mean it.

But he added that he isn’t sure about that as of now. He points out that he wants to wait and see how his life will be then. Nevertheless, he wishes for a long F1 career, if not until 42.

Ferrari is my future

The Ferrari superstar was recently rumored to move to Mercedes as his current contract with Mercedes expires in 2024. Therefore, a prospect like Leclerc would always be an attractive target for every top team.

The rumors about Mercedes were also boosted amidst no update on Lewis Hamilton’s future with Mercedes. The Briton’s current contract with the Silver Arrows is expiring by the end of the year, and there is no certainty whether he’ll extend his stay.

However, Leclerc in May revealed that he is committed to staying with Ferrari, and his talks with them are currently going on. For him, his future is Ferrari. Though, he admits that the Italian team needs to improve.

Post Edited By: Tanish Chachra
Charles Leclerc Fernando Alonso ferrari

About the author

Tanish Chachra

Tanish Chachra is the Motorsport editor at The SportsRush. He saw his first race when F1 visited India in 2011, and since then, his romance with the sport has been seasonal until he took up this role in 2020. Reigniting F1's coverage on this site, Tanish has fallen in love with the sport all over again. He loves Kimi Raikkonen and sees a future world champion in Oscar Piastri. Away from us, he loves to snuggle inside his books.

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