Ferrari has officially confirmed a new multi-year contract extension for Charles Leclerc, ensuring that one of Formula 1’s most recognizable driver-team partnerships will continue for the foreseeable future.
The announcement arrives just ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, a particularly meaningful moment for the Monegasque driver. In an official statement, Ferrari confirmed that Charles Leclerc will continue racing in red over the coming seasons of the Formula 1 World Championship.
While the Scuderia did not disclose the exact duration of the agreement, the wording suggests a continuation of Ferrari’s recent approach to driver contracts. Industry expectations point toward an extension of approximately two additional seasons, although the details remain confidential.
“I couldn’t be happier to continue this journey with Scuderia Ferrari,” Charles Leclerc said. “For me, it is much more than a team. It is the team I have always loved and dreamed of being part of since I was a child and, after all these years, it has become a second family to me.
“Together we have shared incredible moments and more difficult ones, but I believe in the Scuderia more than ever. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to continue fighting for our common goal, which is to bring the world championship back to Maranello. Being a Ferrari driver is a dream, but it is also a responsibility that I never take for granted. I will continue to give everything I have to bring Ferrari back where it belongs, at the very top, for everyone who works in Maranello and especially for the fans, whose passion is the beating heart of this team.”
The new contract also puts Charles Leclerc on course to achieve a remarkable milestone in Ferrari history. Having already started 155 Grands Prix for the Scuderia, he is expected to surpass Michael Schumacher’s record of 180 Ferrari race starts during next season, becoming the driver with the most Formula 1 appearances in the team’s history.
Leclerc’s relationship with Ferrari has evolved steadily since his arrival in 2019. His first contract extension came at the end of that season, following an impressive debut campaign with the team. At the time, Ferrari surprised the Formula 1 paddock by offering a five-year agreement, something the Scuderia had never previously granted to one of its drivers.
In January 2024, Ferrari announced another “multi-year” extension, which effectively amounted to a two-season commitment. If both parties have chosen to follow the same structure once again, the latest agreement is likely to mirror that arrangement, while also including the performance-related clauses that are now standard in modern Formula 1 contracts.
The extension reinforces Charles Leclerc’s position as a central figure in Ferrari’s long-term plans and effectively removes him from any future driver market speculation. It also represents another clear vote of confidence in the leadership of Team Principal Frederic Vasseur and the direction in which Ferrari is heading.
“Charles has been part of the Ferrari family for many years now, and this renewal feels completely natural for us,” Frederic Vasseur commented. “Over the years, we have watched him grow not only into one of the strongest drivers in Formula 1 but also into a person who deeply understands and embodies what Ferrari represents.
“We appreciate his talent, admire his determination and value the way he approaches every day with the people around him, both on and off the track. We know how much this project means to him, and we are delighted to continue working together as we pursue the goals we share.”
By the time the new agreement reaches its conclusion, Charles Leclerc is expected to enter his early thirties while still wearing Ferrari colours. It is a significant commitment from a driver who would almost certainly have had opportunities elsewhere on the Formula 1 grid.
Last year, rumours emerged suggesting Aston Martin had shown interest in securing the Monegasque driver’s services. The speculation intensified after photographs surfaced showing Charles Leclerc in Sardinia aboard Lawrence Stroll’s yacht alongside his manager Nicolas Todt. However, it later became clear that the visit had no connection whatsoever to Formula 1 negotiations.
The contract announcement also provides greater clarity regarding Ferrari’s future driver lineup. With Lewis Hamilton recently reiterating in Montreal his intention to remain with Ferrari beyond 2026, and with his contract reportedly containing an extension option in his favour, the Scuderia appears to have its driver pairing firmly established for the years ahead.
Although Charles Leclerc is on track to become Ferrari’s most-capped Formula 1 driver, another historic record remains out of reach for now. Michael Schumacher completed 11 seasons with Ferrari, while Charles Leclerc, who joined the team in 2019, would reach 10 seasons in red by the end of the 2028 campaign.
Even so, the latest contract extension further strengthens one of the most significant partnerships in modern Formula 1, with both Ferrari and Charles Leclerc united in their determination to bring championship glory back to Maranello.
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