Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has signed a new long-term contract with the Formula One team, extending a relationship that began when he joined the Italian outfit in 2019.
The announcement comes ahead of this weekend’s Monaco Grand Prix, the home race of the 28-year-old Monegasque, who is currently third in the drivers’ championship.
Ferrari while coming the new deal said the agreement would keep Leclerc with the team for the “coming seasons”.
“I couldn’t be happier to continue this journey with Scuderia Ferrari HP. It has always been so much more than just a team to me. It’s the team I’ve loved and dreamt of being part of since I was a child,” Leclerc said in a statement.
The Frenchman has made 155 race starts for Ferrari, winning eight Grands Prix since his arrival from Sauber. He joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2016 after emerging as one of motorsport’s brightest prospects and won the Formula Two title in 2017 before making his Formula One debut the following year.
The Monaco native has established himself as one of Ferrari’s most successful modern-era drivers. He ranks second only to seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher in pole positions for the team, with 27.
Leclerc has also enjoyed strong performances at Monaco, securing three pole positions in the last six editions of the race.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur said the contract extension reflected the team’s confidence in Leclerc’s abilities and commitment.”Charles has been part of the Ferrari family for many years now and this renewal feels like something very natural for us,” Vasseur said.
Leclerc’s decision to remain at Ferrari comes despite the team’s failure to secure a drivers’ championship during his tenure. The last Ferrari driver to win the title was Kimi Räikkönen in 2007.
The new agreement is expected to see Leclerc surpass Michael Schumacher’s 179 race starts for Ferrari, further cementing his place in the team’s history as he continues his pursuit of a maiden Formula One world championship.