Leclerc Contract: Charles Leclerc talks to Autosport about the extension of his contract with Ferrari and why there hasn’t been any updates over the summer break.
Charles signed a long-term contract with Ferrari in 2019, which is set to end after the 2024 season. However, false stories have arisen over the years, suggesting that he was offered multiple extensions by Ferrari. This notion was debunked when Leclerc jokingly expressed a ‘wish’ for such a deal.
He has confirmed that both he and the team are content with their respective futures and are currently directing their attention towards the upcoming 2023 season. His stance on the headline-making 150M packaged deal appeared to be one of approval, as he referred to it as a ‘good deal’. However, he also verified that there are no ongoing deals at the present time. He intends to engage in discussions with the team regarding this matter at a later point in time.
“I think my intentions are clear. And then on the team’s side, I don’t know, but I am not too worried either”
“But it’s not a priority for now. For now, we just want to try and work as much as possible on the car to get back to where we were last year, which was to fight for wins.
Leclerc has additionally displayed a lack of urgency to hasten the extension process, despite having only 18 months remaining on his contract. This is due to his confidence in Ferrari’s lack of alternative driver prospects, leading him to believe that the team will re-engage with him, the Monegasque driver, once the season’s circumstances settle.
“I’m not concerned. If I was worried, I probably would have started the discussion early. But I’m not too worries. It’ll be all fine”
“We haven’t started the discussion, but I’m happy to do it at the end of the year.”
Leclerc also mentioned that the two parties simply haven’t discussed the contract situation when he was asked about the radio silence, implying that it was in a way a mutual decision.
“Well, basically, we don’t speak to each other about this.
“Neither I do, and neither they do. So basically, its both of us have decided that way and I think it’s the right way. As I said, there’s no rush”