(Paris) The Monegasque Charles Leclerc, 5e of the Formula 1 world championship in 2023, has extended his contract with Ferrari “beyond the 2024 season”, the Italian team announced on Thursday, without further details.
“I am very happy to know that I will wear the Scuderia Ferrari suit for several more seasons,” reacted Leclerc, whose contract expired at the end of the season.
After starting in F1 in 2018 with Sauber, Leclerc, 26, joined the Scuderia the following year. Author of 23 pole positions, he has reached 30 podiums since his debut with Ferrari and has five Grand Prix victories, finishing vice-world drivers’ champion behind Dutchman Max Verstappen in 2022.
“This team has been my second family since I joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2016 and we have achieved a lot together, fighting against all odds over the last five years,” continued the Monegasque, quoted in a statement.
Last year, Leclerc said in an interview with AFP that he wanted to be crowned world champion with the legendary Prancing Horse team, which finished 3e in the constructors’ world championship this season, only three points behind Mercedes, a gulf separating them from the untouchable Red Bull.
“The situation is not what I would have wanted to be in today, but that doesn’t make me forget the fact that it’s my “team“dream – and that my final goal is to be world champion with Ferrari,” he assured in September.
“We are determined to offer Charles a winning car and I know that his determination and commitment are elements that can make the difference in helping us achieve our objectives,” greeted Ferrari boss, Frenchman Frédéric Vasseur, on Thursday. .
The next F1 season begins on March 2 in Bahrain after three days of testing on the Gulf island (February 21-23). Each of the ten teams entered for the 75e edition of the championship retains the same pair of drivers, the majority of whom see their contracts expire at the end of the year.
Until then, the Scuderia will lift the veil on February 13 on its 2024 single-seater which will be driven by Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, committed until the end of the 2024 season.
For the moment, no announcement has been made regarding a possible contract extension for the Spaniard.