Charles Leclerc prefers to avoid a question that could spark tensions within Ferrari team. Charles prefers to avoid a tension-inducing question.

Charles Leclerc – Carlos Sainz, no hierarchy
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has repeatedly emphasized that both drivers within the Maranello team are on equal footing. Neither Charles Leclerc nor Carlos Sainz is regarded as the ‘number one driver,’ and this equality of status doesn’t bring any particular ‘problems’ in a season like the current one, where the Ferrari SF-23 has not proven competitive enough, failing to match even the competitiveness of the 2022 F1-75 compared to the progress made by Red Bull and others.

Official negotiations for their respective contract renewals have not yet begun, although rumors of renewal are starting to circulate, especially concerning Charles Leclerc, a ‘priority’ that might not sit well with Carlos Sainz. It’s challenging to imagine both of them driving for Ferrari in 2025 – as both of their contracts expire in 2024 – so if Leclerc were to actually finalize a renewal with the Maranello team, then Frederic Vasseur would have to find a new teammate for the Monegasque driver for the 2025 Formula 1 season. This scenario was sidestepped by Charles Leclerc in a recent interview for the Italian daily newspaper Il Corriere della Sera: “Who would I like to have beside me if Carlos Sainz wasn’t my teammate? I won’t answer that question. It would take a wrong turn. Carlos and I work well together, even though there is a lot of competition between us.” – the Monegasque driver pointed out.

Regarding negotiations with Ferrari to define his future, Charles Leclerc also expressed himself in reference to recent rumors linking him to other teams, such as Mercedes: “It certainly means I’m doing my job well. But these rumors don’t bother me because I know what I want. However, I still don’t know what Ferrari wants from me. Contract discussions have not started yet, but everything is clear to me.” A rather clear message for the management of the Prancing Horse.

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