Charles Leclerc introduced the renewal of his Ferrari contract with a lavish video on social media professing his love for the staff.
Leclerc, now 28, has been racing for Ferrari in F1 since 2019, been on their driver academy since 2016, and their protege since he was 14.
He referenced how becoming a member of them had been like “residing a dream”. He stated Ferrari had been “household”, including: “Possibly that’s precisely what makes this second so particular. For me, it is at all times been clear. The dream remains to be alive, and I am proud to proceed chasing it collectively.”
That dream is to win the world championship collectively. And it stays as elusive as ever.
Since becoming a member of Ferrari in 2019, Leclerc has each established himself as one of many absolute elite F1 drivers, and received solely eight grands prix.
That is a reasonably poor reward for a driver many regard as maybe the quickest of throughout one lap, within the sport’s traditionally most profitable staff.
It’s a reflection not on Leclerc himself, however of Ferrari’s perennial underachievement up to now 20 years. This season’s new rules marked one other second of hope and promise, which is as but unfulfilled.
Leclerc’s contract didn’t run out this yr, sources at Ferrari say, and it is a contract extension – not a easy exercising of an choice clause.
That possible means he was beneath contract till the top of subsequent yr – as is believed to be the case with team-mate Lewis Hamilton. Though there are sources saying Leclerc had a possible means out on the finish of this yr, relying on Ferrari’s efficiency ranges. Both means, clearly the staff had been eager to lock him down.
As they need to, when the motive force market might develop into turbulent this yr, with Max Verstappen’s future within the sport unsure. Leclerc is a fascinating commodity for different groups, to say the least.
As for Leclerc himself, in reality he didn’t have that many choices, even had he wished them.
Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell are stated to be locked in for subsequent yr at the very least, given the staff’s stage of competitiveness in 2026.
And if any driver will go there as a substitute of one in all them, will probably be Verstappen, who staff boss Toto Wolff has coveted for years.
McLaren are additionally dedicated to Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri for the foreseeable future.
In that context, committing to Ferrari for a couple of extra seasons – more likely to 2029, in keeping with the phrase on the road – looks as if a wise choice for Leclerc, even when there have to be occasions when his religion in his dream is examined.
