The news is not surprising. Charles Leclerc extending his contract with the Scuderia will not upset the big chessboard of Formula 1, the Monegasque driver having been at the Ferrari Academy since 2016. It confirms the investment made by Maranello for years, whether by training him at Sauber or quickly moving him, from 2019, to the Scuderia with victories to boot but also a 2nd place drivers in 2022.
“Ever since I was three years old and following the Monaco GP from a balcony in Sainte-Dévote, I have always loved red cars,” he declares. I’m delighted to wear the Scuderia suit for a few more years because I’ve always dreamed of it. The next is to win the title with Ferrari and I am convinced that we will experience great moments with the fans in the coming years. »
Vasseur-Leclerc, mutual appreciation
The arrival of Fred Vasseur, who appreciates the Monegasque as much as he is loved by the driver, strengthens this long-term project of the two men to once again win the Championship which has been fleeing Maranello for fifteen years (2008, constructors and 2007, drivers ). It is therefore not surprising to see Leclerc staying at home in Italy. The driver even had the right to spin in the middle of the impressive Ferrari F1 collection, a stone’s throw from the track where he will debut the 2024 single-seater with Sainz at the launch on February 13. The Spaniard, whose contract ends at the end of the year, has pushed hard to know his future before the start of the season but he is still waiting. Like many elsewhere.
For the rest of the plateau, it’s a big blur
Because this announcement marks the start of the battles for the teams who will find themselves with a bloated market, with the majority of driver contracts coming to an end. Verstappen is locked until 2027 and even if Ferrari does not talk about duration in its press release, we can easily imagine that Leclerc will go at least that far, just to be ready for the next big maneuvers. Those that will follow this “silly season” that the paddock is about to experience.
Because for the rest of the plateau, it’s a big blur. Everyone – or almost – will find themselves free at the end of the year, a year before the big regulatory upheaval of 2026. We will have to know how to choose wisely when the cards are going to be reshuffled. Even Lewis Hamilton was able to negotiate with Mercedes to stop in 2025 and possibly change his bike.
Hence, undoubtedly, the slight wait to know the name of Leclerc’s teammate next year. Carlos Sainz is the ideal candidate, provided that he agrees to only sign for one year, in order to offer a possible seat to other candidates. The Spaniard, announced at Audi in 2026, might not be embarrassed to only extend for one year.
