Charles Leclerc will remain with Ferrari until the end of 2024 after announcing a contract extension on Monday.
The Monegasque was already the only confirmed driver in top three teams beyond next season with a deal running until the end of 2022 but this two-year extension is a just reward for a very impressive first season in red
Leclerc would claim seven poles, the most for a single driver in 2019, and scored his first Formula 1 win at Spa before following it up with Ferrari’s first victory at Monza since 2010.
The 22-year-old would also outscore his four-time world champion teammate Sebastian Vettel to finish fourth in the Drivers’ standings.
“I am very happy to be staying on with Scuderia Ferrari. This past season, driving for the most illustrious team in Formula 1 has been a dream year for me,” Leclerc said.
“I cannot wait to enjoy an even deeper relationship with the team after what has been an intense and exciting 2019. I’m keen to see what the future holds and I can’t wait to get going again next season.”
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For Ferrari, Charles’ performances vindicated what was a change in approach to their driver line-up as he became the youngest driver to race for the Italian team in over half a century.
“With each passing race this year, our wish to extend our contract with Charles became ever more self-evident and the decision means he will now be with us for the next five seasons,” team boss Mattia Binotto said.
“It demonstrates that Charles and the Scuderia have a firm future together.
“Charles has been part of our family since 2016 and we are more than proud of the results we are achieving with our Academy. We are therefore very pleased to be able to announce that he will be with us for many years to come and I’m sure that together, we will write many new pages in the history of the Prancing Horse.”
Of course, Ferrari’s long-term commitment to Leclerc will no doubt raise speculation as to what it means for the future of Vettel, who is out of contract after 2020.
Already, he is having to share equal status with the former GP3 and F2 champion and surely the focus needs to be on placing Charles as the team leader going forward.
If that is the case, it would also perhaps pour cold water on the possible blockbuster move of Lewis Hamilton for 2021, but we shall see!
