Charles Leclerc and Mercedes, a continuous buzz
It is no mystery that journalist Leo Turrini, who always very close to the events in Maranello, has often warned Ferrari fans in recent times about the non-renewal of Charles Leclerc’s current contract with the Italian side. The Monegasque is linked to the Prancing Horse until the end of the 2024 Formula 1 campaign, but he seems to have been in Toto Wolff’s sights for some time, as the Austrian manager sees him the ideal replacement for Lewis Hamilton in Mercedes, should the latter make the decision to hang up his helmet.
Charles Leclerc has repeatedly reaffirmed his loyalty to Scuderia Ferrari, explaining his desire to win in red and perhaps spend his entire career at the wheel of the most prestigious brand in Formula 1.
In a recent article published in the Quotidiano Nazionale newspaper, Leo Turrini emphasized: “That Charles Leclerc is talking to Mercedes is ‘Pulcinella’s secret’ (the very character of Pulcinella is his inability to keep secrets). Everyone knows it, from the remote garage of Maranello to the Indian Ocean“, then indicating the Ferrari is aware “that time passes” and the desire of the Mercedes top management to place alongside George Russell “a world champion-level driver” should Lewis Hamilton decide to leave Formula 1.
The journalist then assured that in his long and successful career Lewis Hamilton “has never been close to Ferrari”. At the time of Luca di Montezemolo – he says – he was taken into consideration to replace Fernando Alonso, but he was already a Mercedes man. And later John Elkann in 2019 asked for information on the British driver’s contract, but the latter “wasn’t the least bit interested in the prospect”.
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A few days ago there were rumors about Carlos Sainz and Audi
The most attentive fans will have noticed how in recent days the Swiss site Blick has reported about Audi being interested in signing Carlos Sainz for 2026, an indiscretion immediately branded as having no basis by Ferrari sources. The Spaniard also has a contract expiring at the end of 2024 and he too felt compelled to open up on this matter in an event with a sponsor on Thursday to try and put an end to the rumors: “I’m surprised that we talk about this in 2023 for 2026, when I don’t even have a contract for 2025. It amazes me that people make this stuff up. On the one hand it makes me laugh, on the other it makes me angry, because these are speculations invented and not verified before publication“, Carlos said, ensuring the intention to remain in the team for a long time.
Lapo Elkann takes sides in defense of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz
In recent weeks Lapo Elkann, nephew of Gianni Agnelli and brother of Ferrari president John, has been quite active on Twitter, siding several times in defense of Juventus and the Maranello team. The entrepreneur born in New York does not hold any official role within Ferrari, but he wanted to intervene to silence this jumble of rumors around the Ferrari drivers: “Stop annoying Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc with wrong questions!”, later further clarifying his thought: “They are trying to insinuate that Carlos will go to Audi and other things about Charles. They are fake and untrue things!”.
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