Charles Leclerc has sharply rebuked rumours he has spoken to Mercedes about a future Formula 1 seat.
The Scuderia has made a disappointing start to this season, with Leclerc only scoring six points in the first three races before a much better weekend in Azerbaijan.
As a result, in the break between Australia and Baku, a well-respected Ferrari insider claimed it was an "open secret" that the Monegasque was in contact with the Brackley-based about potentially replacing Lewis Hamilton either in 2024 or 2025.
“No. Zero. Zero. Really zero,” he said when asked if talks had taken place. “You all smile because you don’t believe me, but I promise.
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“For now, I am fully focused on the project I am in today, which is Ferrari, and I fully trust and am confident for the future.
"Then we will see, but I am fully confident about the project of Ferrari, I’m fully committed to Ferrari and I love Ferrari.
“It has always been a dream for me to be in this team and my main priority is to win a World Championship with this team. So it’s not something in my mind.”
With Ferrari continuing to come up short, however, the German publication Bild put to Leclerc that he may need to leave Maranello if he wants to become champion.
“I do not believe that,” he replied. “Of course, I want to win, but the ups and downs don’t tire me.
"In 2020 and 2021 we found ourselves in a process where we had to fight back to Mercedes and Red Bull. There are setbacks. In 2022 and this year we didn’t take the step that we wanted. We have to do that now.”
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur also offered a strong response when pressed about the Leclerc speculation.
“The rumours about Charles and Mercedes are bullsh*t,” he was quoted by The Mirror. “Charles said he loves Ferrari and wants to win with Ferrari.
“We are at the beginning of the season, where there is much gossip we will hear every weekend, but we are not worried."
In fact, Vasseur is confident of securing Leclerc to a new extension beyond his current 2024 deal though admits talks haven't yet begun.
"I told you [before] that we will do it in the course of the season,” he insisted.
“He’s under contract with us for more than one year [from] now, and we have time to discuss it.
“And I’m not scared at all, and I think it’s not the right moment to do it.”
