25 January 2024 , 13:40
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Charles Leclerc has signed a new contract extension with Ferrari.
The Monegasque's previous deal was due to expire at the end of this season. But an extension was expected with Leclerc central to the Scuderia's plans for the future.
Last month, reports emerged from Italy claiming that both parties had already agreed to a new deal. And that has now been confirmed by Ferrari, who shared news on Thursday of a multi-year deal with their star driver.
The team did not specify exactly for how long the new contract will run. But Ferrari did say Leclerc will continue to race for them for "several more seasons to come", amid some suggestions that the 26-year-old may have committed until 2029.
He said of his new deal: "I'm very pleased to know that I will be wearing the Scuderia Ferrari race suit for several more seasons to come. To race for this team has been my dream since I was three years old - I used to watch the Monaco Grand Prix from the window of a friend's apartment at Ste. Devote corner and I would always look out for the red cars.
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"This team is my second family ever since I joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2016 and we have achieved a lot together, fighting through thick and thin over the past five years. However, I believe the best is yet to come.
"I can't wait for this season to start, to make further progress and be competitive at every race. My dream remains that of winning the world championship with Ferrari and I'm sure that, in the years ahead, we will enjoy great times together and make our fans happy."
Team principal Frederic Vasseur added: "Charles' bond to the Scuderia goes beyond that of just a driver and a team, as he has been part of the Ferrari family for eight years now, dating back to a time before he first sported the Prancing Horse emblem on his race suit. His values and those of our team are intertwined and so it was natural for us to be in agreement on extending our collaboration.
"We know him for his incessant desire to push himself to the limit and we appreciate his extraordinary abilities when it comes to fighting and overtaking in a race. We are determined to give Charles a winning car and I know that his determination and commitment are elements that can make the difference in helping us reach our goals."
Now that Leclerc's future is secure, Vasseur's attention will now turn to his other driver. Carlos Sainz is also expected to sign a new deal with the team in the near future, though the team does not want to sanction another long-term deal for the 29-year-old as it hopes to keep one of its race seats reasonably open for the next couple of years.