The start of the 2023 Formula One season for Ferrari has been, at least so far, complicated and not up to the optimistic winter predictions. Despite the fact that the 2023 car is a direct evolution of the F1-75 project from last year, this season the team from Maranello has produced a slow, complex and problematic car, up to the point of becoming the fourth force on the grid, also behind Mercedes and Aston Martin after the first three rounds of the championship.
This situation has caused disappointment both within the Ferrari Racing Division for having failed once more with a Formula 1 project, and among the drivers, who are aware that they cannot fight for important results. This means that, as is always happening in moments of crisis, there are rumors about their intentions, given the difficulties Ferrari is going through, to look around to change the air and settle in a winning team.
Rumors that, in recent weeks (due to the poor start of the season with two retirements in Bahrain and Australia and a seventh place in Jeddah), have been hovering around Charles Leclerc, described as dissatisfied with his present situation at Ferrari, unable to have a winning car. According to the Italian media, Charles has therefore decided to consider the offers on his table, especially that of Mercedes. Rumors which, alongside other considerations about the Monegasque’s present situation, were analyzed today by the Italian daily newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.
First of all, in his article, journalist Luigi Perna highlighted how the difficult 2023 Formula 1 season is wearing down Charles’ strong love for Ferrari. A love that, perhaps, is going through its lowest point.
“He dreamed of the red car since he was a child and has the Prancing Horse imprinted on his heart. But even the strongest love experiences disappointments, and that is what is happening in the relationship between Charles Leclerc and Ferrari.”
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Gazzetta dello Sport also provides clarifications about the clause that would allow both Ferrari and Charles Leclerc to terminate their contracts. A clause mentioned by Helmut Marko and which has caused a lot of discussion.
“It appears that Charles Leclerc can terminate his contract in September if he has not scored a certain number of points, but also if Ferrari is not among the top four teams in the constructors’ standings.”
It is also impossible not to analyze the scenario, revealed by Leo Turrini, of a possible move by Charles to Mercedes, which has been interested in him for some time. A scenario that is difficult to realize, at least at the end of the season, unless there are sensational reversals and important retirements.
“It is not impossible for the Monegasque to leave at the end of 2023, but it remains highly unlikely. The only alternative is indeed Mercedes, from which Charles Leclerc would have received an important proposal, but the transfer could only take place if Hamilton decided to retire or move to Ferrari. […] It is more likely that Leclerc will decide to postpone his future choices until next season.”
In addition to the analysis of the scenarios presented, Luigi Perna focused on the evaluation of the existing contracts. Charles Leclerc is tied to the Maranello team with a contract that is available until the end of the 2024 Formula 1 campaign, but to date, the Monegasque driver does not seem interested in negotiating a renewal with Ferrari. Or at least not before having an idea of the values at stake, both for this year and for 2024, and of whether or not the Italian side can emerge from the current technical crisis.
“The negotiations for the contract renewal have not started, but currently, Charles Leclerc has no intention of extending the agreement with Ferrari beyond 2024, so his future seems far from Maranello. To change a fate that seems sealed, there must be a turnaround in the car’s performance that can make the Monegasque change his mind. From Imola onwards, when the developments arrive, we may understand what the fate of this season will be and also and the future of Charles Leclerc with Ferrari.” – Gazzetta dello Sport pointed out.
