Leclerc stays with Ferrari: 'Not many plausible alternative destinations'

Max Verstappen at Red Bull, George Russell at Mercedes, Lando Norris at McLaren and Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz at Ferrari. As of next year, the new generation of Formula One drivers have definitively established themselves with the current top four teams, often with long commitments to their teams.

In 2019, the young Leclerc signed a long-term commitment to Ferrari until 2024. Something that is quite unusual for Ferrari to commit, especially young drivers, for such a long time. At the end of that contract, he will have driven for Ferrari for six years.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport it will not stop there. Thus, there would be talks about an even further extension of the contract. "There has been speculation about a shift to 2026", the Italian sports newspaper informs.

"There is no doubt that Charles is doing well at Ferrari and that he feels invested in the role of a man of destiny," writes journalist Mario Salvini. "He knows that the redemption for which everyone is working will be completed by him."

Moreover, Salvini thinks there is little other choices for the Monegasque. "For a driver of his class and value, there are not many plausible alternative destinations. There are only a few, three by the looks of it, and they all have a contract as first driver." By this, he is referring to the committed young drivers at Mercedes, Red Bull Racing and McLaren. In any case, Ferrari and Leclerc appear to have a long future together.