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Leclerc out of contract at the end of the year
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Ferrari do not say how long new deal is for
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Sainz still holds up beyond 2024
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By Alan Baldwin
Jan. 25 (Reuters) –
Charles Leclerc will remain at Ferrari for the next few years after the Italian Formula 1 team announced a contract extension on Thursday.
The 26-year-old Monegasque’s previous contract expires at the end of the year.
“I’m very pleased to know that I will be wearing the Scuderia Ferrari race suit for several more seasons to come,” he said in a statement that did not state the length of the extension.
The deal will most likely lead Leclerc into the sport’s new era of motorsports that begins in 2026 and ensures the continuity of the sport’s oldest and most successful team whose other driver, Spaniard Carlos Sainz, has yet to sign for 2025.
It also means that the smartest teams have drivers entered for the next few years with Red Bull’s three-time world champion Max Verstappen under contract until the end of 2028, while Lewis Hamilton and George Russell are at Mercedes until 2025.
McLaren, fourth, has Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri entered until the end of 2025 and 2026 respectively.
“Charles’ bond to the Scuderia goes beyond that of just a driver and a team, as he has been part of the Ferrari family for eight years now,” said Ferrari’s French boss Fred Vasseur.
“His values and those of our team are strongly connected and it was only natural that we agreed to expand our collaboration.
“We know him for his relentless preference for pushing himself and appreciate his common talent when it comes to fighting and overtaking in races. “
Vasseur said Ferrari, which last won the drivers’ title with now-retired Kimi Raikkonen in 2007 and was constructors’ champion in 2008, was determined to provide Leclerc with a winning car.
Ferrari were the only team to beat dominant Red Bull in a race last season but finished third overall behind Mercedes.
Leclerc became Ferrari’s youngest grand prix winner in 2019 and now has five wins to his credit with 30 podiums, 23 pole positions and seven fastest laps.
“To race for this team has been my dream since I was three years old,” said Leclerc, who grew up watching the red cars compete on his home streets at the Monaco Grand Prix.
“This team is my second family ever since I joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2016 and we have achieved a lot together, fighting through thick and thin over the past five years.
“However, I believe the best is yet to come and I can’t wait for this season to start, to make further progress and be competitive at every race.
“My dream is still to win the world championship with Ferrari and I’m sure that in the coming years we will have some time together and make our enthusiasts happy. “
The 2024 season kicks off in Bahrain on March 2. (Reporting via Alan in London; editing by Alison Williams and Tothrough Davis)