FILE–Ferrari’s Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc. (Photograph by JOHN THYS / AFP)
Charles Leclerc dedicated his future to Ferrari on Thursday after signing a contract renewal with the Italian Method One outfit.
Ferrari didn’t specify the size of Leclerc’s new deal, merely saying that it took him “past the 2024 season” when his present contract expires.
However of their Italian assertion the Scuderia mentioned that Leclerc, who completed fifth final season and manner behind world champion Max Verstappen, can be staying on for the “coming seasons”.
“I’m more than happy to know that I will likely be sporting the Scuderia Ferrari race go well with for a number of extra seasons to return. To race for this workforce has been my dream since I used to be three years previous,” mentioned Leclerc in an announcement.
“My dream stays that of successful the world championship with Ferrari and I’m positive that within the years forward, we are going to take pleasure in nice instances collectively and make our followers completely satisfied.”
Leclerc, 26, has been driving for Ferrari’s F1 workforce since 2019, one yr after making his debut within the premier racing championship with Sauber.
The Monegasque had three years beforehand been on the Ferrari Driver Academy earlier than successful the F2 championship in 2017.
The dream continues @Charles_Leclerc ❤️
— Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) January 25, 2024
Since becoming a member of the Scuderia Leclerc has gained 5 Grands Prix, claimed 30 podium finishes and began on pole place 23 instances.
However he has did not put up a correct problem for the world title as Verstappen and Pink Bull snatched dominance of the game from seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in 2021.
The closest Leclerc has come to the drivers’ championship was in 2022 when he completed second behind Verstappen.
He ended that season 146 factors off the tempo and final season the hole was even bigger, a whopping 369 factors separating Leclerc from the Dutchman.
“Charles… has been a part of the Ferrari household for eight years now, relationship again to a time earlier than he first sported the prancing horse emblem on his race go well with,” mentioned Ferrari workforce principal Fred Vasseur.
“We’re decided to present Charles a successful automotive and I do know that his dedication and dedication are components that may make the distinction in serving to us attain our targets.”
The approaching F1 season begins on March 2 in Bahrain after three days of testing on the Gulf island in February.
Every of the ten groups getting into the seventy fifth version of the championship has the identical driver pairings as final season, nearly all of whom have contracts which expire on the finish of this yr.
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Within the meantime, Ferrari will reveal on February 13 the 2024 automotive which will likely be pushed by Leclerc and his associate Carlos Sainz, whose contract is up on the finish of the season.
Ferrari are but to make an announcement concerning any contract extension for Sainz, who has not had the identical long-term stability that has been afforded to Leclerc.