Motorsports
Ferrari: Agreement with Leclerc until 2029, hurdles for Saint, Norris alternative
What first information does the Italian press receive from the Scuderia’s negotiations to extend the contracts of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz and how Lando Norris remains an alternative option at Maranello?
As the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport reports, Ferrari and Charles Leclerc have verbally agreed in principle on a contract extension until the end of 2029, i.e. a new five-year contract with an annual salary of 50 million for the Monegasque.
Instead, talks with Carlos Sainz have reportedly hit the hurdle of a contract extension, leaving the Scuderia – as the publication always says – once again considering approaching McLaren’s Lando Norris as an alternative.
Leclerc’s new contract with Ferrari will reportedly be drawn up and then signed. The announcement will take place on December 23rd, the Italian newspaper continues. But in Saint’s case, things are complicated.
The Maranello club reportedly want the Spaniard’s contract extended by a year, only until 2025, so that in 2026 they can opt for Lando Norris, who will be released from his current contract with McLaren at the end of the season. 25. However, with Saith wanting a contract extension of at least two years, his extension talks have hit a major hurdle.
According to the report, if Norris is selected by Ferrari, Saint could take the opposite path in 2026 and take over the Brit’s cockpit at McLaren or even replace Sergio Perez at Red Bull Racing from as early as 2025. According to rumors, Sauber/Audi and Alpine have also expressed interest in the Spaniard.
Ferrari builds on Leclerc
To this new information from Maranello one can add the Publication of the previous daysthat Maranello is designing the Scuderia’s 2024 car (called Project 676 at the factory) after Charles Leclerc’s distinctive driving style – which, if true, will work to Saint’s detriment in the new Formula 1 year.
Leclerc has been a Ferrari driver since 2016 and if his new five-year contract is valid, he will stay at Maranello for 13 consecutive years until he turns 31 at the end of 2029. With this latest information, it becomes increasingly likely that the Scuderia will build its near future around Monegasse.
The redesign of this year’s SF-23 in Japan – with the addition of the new floor – made the Cavallino fit Leclerc’s driving style so well that he reportedly gave the Scuderia a set of instructions for the design and driving development of the 2024 car. Measures from
Leclerc, speaking to Italian media in recent weeks, expressed satisfaction that he believed the technical direction the team took with the Suzuka changes was the right one and favored his driving style.
Source: sport 24
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Four-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen has returned to Portugal to test his GT3 car at the start of the 2026 season.
Last year the Dutch driver took to the track several times in his touring cars; in particular, he participated in the Nordschleife competition, which he won together with his teammate Chris Lulem.
Verstappen has long expressed his passion for endurance racing and plans to compete more frequently in the form of motorsport after retiring from Formula 1. He arrived in Portugal last year, just a week after failing to win another world title against Lando Norris.
The 28-year-old driver arrived at the Portuguese Grand Prix circuit Estoril, where he tested the Mercedes AMG GT3 on wet surfaces.
Let’s remember, at the end of 2025, Verstappen’s endurance racing team announced that it had signed a contract with Mercedes to participate in future competitions.
Verstappen in Mercedes’ Portimão. Images are in the foreground. #daznf1 pic.twitter.com/1NFxvED3So
— joao carlos costa (@jcccomentador) January 14, 2026
Source: Sport UA
Ruth Waterhouse is an author and sports journalist who writes for Sportish. She is known for her coverage of various sports events and her insightful analysis of sports-related news. With a passion for sports and a keen eye for detail, she has become a respected voice in the sports community.
Revolut, the name sponsor of the Audi Formula 1 team, criticized the exterior design of Ferrari’s other name partner, HP, which carries the blue logo.
Ferrari and HP announced a multi-year title sponsorship agreement almost two years ago. The contract led to visible changes in the appearance of the Italian team’s cars, especially the appearance of the blue elements on the traditional red livery.
Revolut Marketing Director Antoine Le Nel said he thought this design decision was unsuccessful.
“Brand identity is extremely important. At Revolut, design and user experience are very important and everything needs to fit together. No offense, but what HP and Ferrari have done in terms of design is not a good solution. How to paint a red car blue?”
Le Nel also touched upon positive examples of branding in Formula 1, highlighting Mastercard’s collaboration with McLaren as well as the integration of the Google Chrome brand.
Source: Sport UA
Ruth Waterhouse is an author and sports journalist who writes for Sportish. She is known for her coverage of various sports events and her insightful analysis of sports-related news. With a passion for sports and a keen eye for detail, she has become a respected voice in the sports community.
McLaren CEO Zak Brown is confident Oscar Piastri will continue to improve after the Australian driver won the Formula 1 championship last season.
Piastri could become the first Australian champion since Alan Jones in 1980. He led the overall standings for 15 stages and almost six months, from the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in April until the Mexican Grand Prix in October, when he lost the lead.
At the end of the 24-stage season, the Australian lost 13 points to teammate Lando Norris, who eventually became champion. Max Verstappen finished the race 11 points ahead of Piastri after a late-season collapse.
Throughout the year, Piastri repeatedly expressed his dissatisfaction with team decisions, especially at the Italian and Singapore Grand Prix; According to him, McLaren preferred Norris, which was also reflected in their radio conversations.
But Zac Brown insists Piastri’s contribution deserves the biggest praise and believes his time will come.
“He’s had an incredible season. It’s easy to forget that Oscar has only been racing in Formula 1 for three years.”
He drives with experience and skill that belies his age and always behaves as professionally as possible.
From day one we knew we had a real star. I have no doubt that his star will continue to rise.”
Source: Sport UA
Ruth Waterhouse is an author and sports journalist who writes for Sportish. She is known for her coverage of various sports events and her insightful analysis of sports-related news. With a passion for sports and a keen eye for detail, she has become a respected voice in the sports community.
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