Leclerc awaits new contract: 'That's not Ferrari's priority right now'

Charles Leclerc made the switch to Ferrari in 2019. The current contract with his Italian employer expires at the end of next season. According to rumours, the Monegasque signed a new deal during the summer break until possibly 2028. However, according to Leclerc, Ferrari's priority now is not at all on a new commitment with him.

Leclerc longer at Ferrari?

Rumours report that Leclerc's new contract would be worth as much as 185 million. This would see the Monegasque stay at Ferrari through 2025 anyway, with options for a longer commitment until 2028. In 2026, Formula 1 regulations go through a major overhaul, hence the years 2026, 2027 and 2028 would not yet be finalised.

However, in an interview with BBC Sport, the Ferrari driver decried his new contract with the Scuderia. "There are some jokes here and there, but no serious talks yet. Honestly, I am not in a rush. I don't think Ferrari's priority is signing me at the moment, which is understandable because we are all just focused on trying to have the best race car possible as quickly as possible," Leclerc explained.

Ferrari is special to Leclerc

"There is just a special connection. I have always been a fan of this team. My dad [who died in 2017] also was a huge fan of Ferrari and all of this makes it special. But even apart from all that, I have always loved this team and I've always had a special relationship with Italy also." Leclerc himself is from French-speaking Monaco, but is also fluent in Italian.