On Wednesday morning, Ferrari announced it had agreed a “multi-year” contract extension with long-time Scuderia driver Charles Leclerc, extending his Ferrari tenure for what is thought to be at least three more seasons in Formula 1 beyond 2026.
With Leclerc’s previous deal not running out until the end of 2027, has the Monegasque taken a risk or is his pledge of loyalty to Maranello something to applaud? Our writers offer their thoughts.
Photo by: Alessio Morgese / NurPhoto via Getty Images
Did he have much choice?
There’s simply not much choice for Leclerc, so the decision to stick with Ferrari seems entirely logical. He’s in arguably the second or third-fastest car on the grid, and it’s hard to see a realistic path to Mercedes or McLaren any time soon. Plus, Ferrari remains his dream team. Had the Scuderia miraculously got the 2026 regulations wrong in the same way Aston Martin and Honda have, there would have been a lot more to think about. Right now, Ferrari is still a good horse to back. Eventually, the win-less streak has to end. He just needs to wait.
How long? That’s the question nobody can answer. But it’s worth looking at how patient – or loyal, if you prefer – Lando Norris was with McLaren. Joining the team during arguably its worst period in history, he witnessed first-hand its transformation into the benchmark of the grid. Other opportunities existed too. It’s no secret Norris flirted with Red Bull more than once. But changing teams always carries risk, especially when half the garage is already occupied by Max Verstappen.
Had Mercedes come calling, Leclerc would probably have forgotten about the childhood dream of winning a title with Ferrari and focused on achieving at least one part of it. Any other move would have been a bit like switching queues at the supermarket checkout because the one next to you appears to be moving faster. More often than not, you end up watching the line you left reach the cashier first.
– Oleg Karpov
Charles Leclerc made his F1 testing debut with Ferrari in 2016.
Photo by: Alessio Morgese
He may not fulfil his Ferrari dream, but watching it win without him would be a nightmare
Ever since Leclerc joined Ferrari in 2019, three teams have built a title winning car. Mercedes, Red Bull and McLaren. So anyway you slice it, Leclerc putting his faith in Ferrari for another three or four years definitely carries a risk. It is entirely possible that Leclerc will go down as another bona fide Ferrari legend, and its most tenured driver too, without a crowning achievement to top it off.
But under Fred Vasseur, Ferrari has shown signs of life, innovation and risk taking, too. And given the way it has kicked off the 2026 regulations cycle, it’s not implausible for the Scuderia to contend at some point over the next few years, even if I feel the likes of McLaren and Red Bull have a better track record of developing their way to the front midway through. The only clear upgrade would have been Mercedes, which already seemed a non-starter, while it’s not yet clear if there will be any driver shuffles at McLaren or Red Bull beyond 2027 – but there might be.
That’s why it’s quite the statement of intent from Leclerc, who still had a deal until the end of 2027, to be shoving in all his chips before it was really his turn to commit to the pot yet.
Does pledging loyalty to Ferrari so early for so long involve risk? By the nature of the sport, yes. Just ask Fernando Alonso about being at the wrong team at the wrong time. But while not winning with Ferrari would be a career unfulfilled, there is one nightmarish scenario on the table that would be even worse. Ferrari winning the title, with Leclerc watching on wearing different colours. It would be a mistake he would never forgive himself for.
– Filip Cleeren
Charles Leclerc already fulfilled a childhood dream by winning his home race in Monaco.
Photo by: Erik Junius
Leclerc’s love and loyalty to Ferrari are commendable
There is something endearing, almost romantic, about a longstanding relationship between team and driver. Especially when it comes to Leclerc, who was dubbed Il Predestinato – ‘the predestined’ or, more loosely, ‘the chosen one’ – by Sky Italia commentator Carlo Vanzini from a young age.
Leclerc has always been all about Ferrari. At three years old, watching the Monaco Grand Prix from a friend’s apartment at Sainte-Devote corner, he was looking out for the red cars, he recalled. Meeting Michael Schumacher as a child only ignited his passion further. And late Ferrari protege Jules Bianchi was, to him, a godfather of sorts.
Leclerc has now been with Ferrari for more than 10 years, having joined the team’s driver academy ahead of the 2016 season. Their story has been one of success – back-to-back titles in GP3 and Formula 2, 27 pole positions and eight grand prix victories in Formula 1 – but also heartbreak and frustration. There was Bianchi’s loss, obviously, but also numerous lost opportunities amid mechanical issues, strategy mistakes and driver errors.
Most importantly, Ferrari just never seems to put it together as a credible title contender. It is always thereabouts, taking the odd race win, but never quite there. And as you live out your dream – in this case, racing for the Scuderia – it gradually becomes less and less dream-like.
So you’d forgive Leclerc, given his evident talent and comprehensive skillset, for thinking twice about his future in Maranello. One would wager he sometimes wonders what life would be like elsewhere. That’s human.
But he just won’t act on it. Leclerc’s loyalty lies with Ferrari, as shown by their latest deal keeping him at the team until, presumably, 2028 at the earliest.
Surely, at some point, Ferrari will get it right, and Leclerc will finally get a title-contending car. But, regardless, he’s writing a remarkable chapter in Formula 1’s history as the man who persevered for so long with his beloved squad. There has never been anything quite like it – and may never be.
– Ben Vinel
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
– The Motorsport.com Team
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: motorsport.com
