Leclerc tends towards Ferrari beyond 2024

The Monegasque was so impressive in his first season at Ferrari in 2019 that the Italian team offered him a record five-year contract. Consequently, he has signed to stay at Maranello until the end of 2024.

Leclerc himself has repeatedly stated that it is his dream to become Formula 1 champion with Ferrari, but at the end of 2022 – after a disappointing second half of last season – he publicly left open the possibility of leaving the Maranello at the top for the first time at the end of 2024 At the same time, rumors have surfaced that he has signed a preliminary contract with Mercedes as Lewis Hamilton’s future successor.

The Scuderia’s poor start in 2023 at the Bahrain GP would theoretically reinforce concrete rumors of Leclerc’s departure in 2025, but instead the Italian press write that the 25-year-old is leaning towards the decision to renew his contract with Ferrari.

Many are linking his decision to the meeting the 25-year-old has had with John Elkann in recent days and possibly to guarantees he has received from the Ferrari President. Of course, Scuderia director Fred Wasser wanted to keep the Elkann-Leclair meeting low-key.

“We spoke to drivers Elkann and Vinia (sic: Ferrari CEO) after the development tests and will speak to them again after Imola. These meetings are scheduled‘ the Frenchman told French magazine AutoHebdo.

When he took charge of the team in early 2023, Vasseur had stated that Ferrari management should move to secure Charles Leclerc’s services over the long term.