The contract of the driver from Monaco will expire at the conclusion of the 2024 season, and there has been no urgency from either him or Ferrari to finalize an extension at this point.
The delay, combined with a disappointing campaign at Ferrari that did not meet expectations, led to rumors of other teams interested in acquiring Leclerc’s services.
Mercedes, Aston Martin, and Red Bull are all considered as possible choices for him, as there may be openings by 2025.
However, even though he is considering other options, Leclerc has expressed his main goal is to achieve his dream of winning the F1 championship with Ferrari. He believes that even the slightest opportunity to accomplish this would be sufficient for him to remain with the team.
In a recent interview with Motorsport.com, Leclerc acknowledged that it is common for drivers to consider other opportunities, but he emphasized his unwavering dedication to his current team.
“Undoubtedly, I believe that every driver has contemplated the various choices available to them, once they are presented with the opportunity,” he expressed.
However, my passion for Ferrari is immense. My ultimate goal and deepest aspiration is to achieve the title of world champion alongside Ferrari, above all else.
If there is even a small chance of it occurring, I will definitely make an effort to remain here, without any hesitation.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari SF-23
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Leclerc acknowledged the challenges the team has faced this year but emphasized that these difficulties should not discourage hope for improvement.
He expressed that it is evident to everyone on the team that we are dissatisfied with our current situation and have a strong desire to achieve victory.
“I have a strong affection for Ferrari. It gives me a sense of belonging. Unfortunately, I am unable to provide further details as there has been minimal conversation, aside from occasional lighthearted remarks.”
Leclerc dismissed any notion that the postponement of contract negotiations was a cause for concern, as he recognized Ferrari’s need to prioritize improving their speed.
“I believe that currently, it may not be the top priority, not only for me but also for the team,” he expressed. “Our main focus lies on what truly matters at this time.”
“I aim to regain competitiveness as soon as possible. After that, we’ll assess the situation. However, I have a deep affection for Ferrari and it gives me a sense of belonging.”
No catching Red Bull
Ferrari had hoped to build on its race-winning form from 2022 to fight for the world championship this year.
Nevertheless, it is currently at a disadvantage as Red Bull’s RB19 car has proven to be superior, winning every grand prix thus far.
Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari, in the post-qualifying Press Conference
Photo by: Motorsport Images
Ferrari has made significant strides in addressing the issues that have negatively impacted its performance on Sundays. However, Leclerc believes it is unrealistic to anticipate closing the entire gap to Red Bull by the end of the season.
He believes that Ferrari has the potential to surpass Mercedes, McLaren, and Aston Martin and finish the year as the leading team among them.
He expressed that our desired goal, which we aim to achieve, is to become the strongest team following Red Bull and narrow the distance between us and them.
“For 2024, there is no question that the goal in everyone’s thoughts is to reclaim the top position and compete against Red Bull.”
In my personal opinion, I don’t think it’s realistic to expect that we will surpass Red Bull before the year ends. However, our goal is to at least be ahead of McLaren, Mercedes, and Aston Martin. That is what we are aiming for.
Leave a Reply