Charles Leclerc reaffirms loyalty to Ferrari despite rumors linking him to Mercedes

Amid speculations of Mercedes talks, Charles Leclerc reaffirms his loyalty to Ferrari, dispelling rumors of him replacing Lewis Hamilton.

As the seven-time Formula 1 world champion’s contract with the German side is ending this season and no clear sign of a renewal in sight, potential successors for the Mercedes man have been strongly rumored, with Charles Leclerc’s name being mentioned by the Italian and international media, especially given Ferrari’s difficult moment in the start of the 2023 Formula One campaign.

However, Charles Leclerc asserts that he is fully committed to the Maranello team and that he trusts the Italian side for the future. He denies reports of talks with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, but does not rule out the possibility of such discussions in the future:

“No, not yet, not for the moment,” the Monegasque driver explained on Thursday, during his interview with the journalists ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix when quizzed on this matter. At the same time, Charles denied reports that had spoken with the Mercedes boss over the phone.

“I am fully focused on the project I have today: which is Ferrari. I fully trust [the team] and I’m confident for the future – and then we’ll see. I’m fully committed to Ferrari, and I love Ferrari. It’s always been a dream for me to be in this team – and my main priority it to win the World Championship with the team, so no, [moving to Mercedes] is not something in my mind.” – the Monegasque driver added.

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Charles Leclerc has a contract with Scuderia Ferrari which is available until the end of the 2024 Formula One campaign, and new Ferrari boss Frederic Vasseur is confident that the Monegasque will not leave if the Italian side is not able to compete consistently with Red Bull, as Ferrari hopes to recover the gap to the Austrian side during the current championship.

Frederic Vasseur states that there is time to discuss Charles Leclerc’s contract extension with Ferrari and is not afraid that the Monegasque will be lured away to another team: “We will do it in the course of the season,” he explained to media at the Baku city circuit ahead of the fourth round of the championship – “He’s under contract with us for more than one year now and we’ll have time to discuss it. I’m not scared at all – and I think it is not the right moment [to discuss it].” – the Frenchman explained.

A recent report by Formula 1 journalist and Ferrari insider Leo Turrini in the newspaper Quotidiano Nazionale stated it is “an open secret” the fact that Charles Leclerc was discussing with rivals Mercedes following the Maranello team’s poor start to the 2023 championship.

Asked directly by the media if he had talked with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff regarding a possible move to the German side, Charles Leclerc reiterated: “No. Zero. Zero. Really zero. You all smile because you don’t believe me, but I promise. Again, I’m fully committed to Ferrari and I love Ferrari.” – the Monegasque pointed out.