Ferrari officially announced this Thursday the extension of Charles Leclerc's contract, which expires at the end of 2024. In the regulation currently in force between the different teams participating in the Formula 1 World Championship, the Maranello structure does not specify the duration of the contract. New link. Carlos Sainz, Leclerc's partner in the Il Cavallino Rampante brand, has been negotiating with management for some time to continue wearing red.
At 26 years old and having defended the racing world's most universal emblem for the last five years, Leclerc has collected five wins, 30 podiums and 23 pole positions while defending the Scuderia. His best finish to date is second place in 2022, a year in which he was 146 points away from Max Verstappen, the champion. Last year he finished fifth, tied with Fernando Alonso (206). With this maneuver, Ferrari secures one of the stars of the starting grid and one of the drivers who, according to those responsible for the Italian team, has the necessary skills to keep Verstappen at bay. This will definitely be the case if you have a car that allows it. The renewal is nothing more than the logical effect of the appearance of Fred Vasseur, the director with whom Leclerc has always had a special affinity.
“I am very happy to know that I will be wearing the Ferrari suit for several more seasons,” explains Leclerc in the statement. “I've dreamed of running for this team since I was three years old. “I watched the Monaco Grand Prix from the window of a friend's apartment on the corner of Santa Devota, always paying attention to the red cars passing by,” he adds, emphasizing: “My dream is still to win the title. “Driver. of Ferrari.” “Charles' connection to the Scuderia goes beyond that of a simple driver and a team, as he has been part of the Ferrari family for eight years,” comments Vasseur for his part. “Your values and those of our team are closely linked, and that is why it was natural for us to agree to expand our collaboration,” continues the French managing director.
More information
After the future of one of the two drivers has been clarified, it will soon be Sainz's turn, who was always able to keep up with his workshop neighbor. At 29, the Madrid native surpassed him in his debut in red (2021) and ended up back in 2022 and 2023, the year in which he became the only participant on the grid to snatch a victory (Singapore) from the Almighty Red Bull.
You can follow EL PAÍS Deportes on Facebook and Xor sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter.