Charles Leclerc revealed today in Spielberg that there has been a preamble regarding the renewal of his contract with Scuderia Ferrari, which expires at the end of the next Formula One season. The topic arose while commenting on recent statements made by Carlos Sainz (in an interview with Motorsport.com), where the Spaniard emphasized his desire to know his future before the start of the next F1 campaign.
Charles Leclerc admitted that the discussions have started. “Let’s say we are slowly starting to talk about it, yes,” Charles commented. “One and a half years (the remaining duration of the current contract) is still a long time, and there is still a long way to go. It’s not something that I constantly have in mind. When I say we have slowly started talking about it,” Charles Leclerc continued, “I mean that we haven’t gone into specifics. It’s just words here and there, nothing in particular.”
Charles was asked if he has a plan B in his agenda, meaning the possibility of considering other alternatives to extending his contract with Ferrari.
“I love this team,” Charles Leclerc reiterated. “I am happy here. Ferrari has helped me reach where I am today, and I have never hidden the fact that I have always been extremely happy to be part of this team. Obviously, both the team and I are not satisfied with where we are at the moment, but I think we are all working in the right direction, and I believe we are doing it in the right way.”
Charles then responded to market rumors that have linked him to Mercedes and Aston Martin in recent weeks.
“It’s probably the first time in my career that I find myself in this position,” he replied with a smile. “I don’t think the reason is that no one was interested in me in the past, but simply because of the nature of the existing contract (five years, signed at the end of 2019).”
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Charles Leclerc, a driver who came through the Maranello Driver Academy, has so far seen options included in the original contract he signed with Ferrari applied, and this will be the first time he faces a renewal negotiation.
“Yes, it’s the first time in my career that I find myself approaching this type of negotiation,” confirmed Charles. “Since I arrived in Maranello, then moved to Sauber and subsequently to the Ferrari team, everything has been straightforward. So, for me, it’s a new and different situation from previous ones. I don’t mind it, but now the priority is to remain focused on driving. I hope to win with Ferrari as quickly as possible, and then we’ll see.” – the Monegasque driver concluded ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, which takes place this weekend at the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg.
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