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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Former Red Bull and Aston Martin chief engineer Dan Fellows believes significant changes in the Formula 1 driver market in the coming years will depend on Lewis Hamilton’s decision.
The seven-time world champion had a difficult first season with Ferrari, failing to reach the podium once in all 24 Grands Prix. For the first time in his career, Hamilton finished a season without finishing in the top three.
Amid these difficulties, suggestions have emerged that the Briton could retire from Formula 1 after the 2026 season.
Fellows said Hamilton would not want to stay in the championship unless he had a competitive car.
Fellows said: “I believe Hamilton is the key figure in the driver market. It is easy to compare him to Fernando Alonso; although last season was difficult for him, he is still capable of performing at a high level.” he said.
Fellowes added: “Lewis wants to be competitive. He wants a car that can win races. If he doesn’t do that, I’m not sure he wants to continue.”
Ferrari now has a young driver named Oliver Berman, who races for Haas and is considered one of the main candidates for promotion. According to Fellows, if Hamilton decides to retire early, this could start a chain reaction in the driver market.
Fellows said: “If he decides to leave, he will probably announce it in advance so Ferrari has time to prepare. This could require many changes. Berman is the obvious option, but not the only one.”
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.
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.
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