Ferrari secure Leclerc’s future in long-term deal ahead of Monaco Grand Prix
Charles Leclerc has signed a contract extension with Ferrari, keeping him at the Maranello-based squad for the coming seasons. The announcement comes as the team seeks to rebuild its competitive edge ahead of the home race in Monaco.
Ferrari have confirmed a long-term contract extension for Charles Leclerc, ensuring the 28-year-old Monegasque driver will remain with the team for the coming seasons. The announcement was made ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, where Leclerc will compete in front of his home crowd. The Italian manufacturer did not disclose the specific duration or financial terms of the new agreement, stating only that the driver, who has been with the squad since 2019, will continue his tenure with the team.
Leclerc currently sits third in the 2026 drivers’ championship standings, trailing leader Kimi Antonelli by 56 points. Antonelli, driving for Mercedes, holds a 43-point advantage over Leclerc’s teammate, George Russell, after winning the previous four races. Leclerc has recorded two podium finishes this season, securing third places in Australia and Japan. His teammate, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, is fourth in the standings, three points behind Leclerc.
Team principal Fred Vasseur described the renewal as a natural progression for the organisation. “Charles has been part of the Ferrari family for many years now,” Vasseur said in a statement. “Over these seasons, we have seen him grow to become not only one of the strongest drivers in Formula One, but also a person who is completely at one with the team and everything Ferrari represents.” Vasseur emphasised the shared goals between the driver and the institution, noting Leclerc’s alignment with the team’s broader project.
The extension underscores Leclerc’s historical significance to the marque. He has raced 155 times for Ferrari, the most by any driver in the team’s history other than the retired Michael Schumacher. Leclerc also ranks second in the team’s history for pole positions, behind the German champion. He previously extended his contract in 2024 and became the first local driver to win the Monaco Grand Prix in the championship era that same year, having taken pole position at the circuit three times in the last five years.
Ferrari have not won a Grand Prix since 2024 or a championship since 2008. The team faces a critical weekend at the Monaco circuit, which is the slowest on the calendar and favours grid position over top speed. Hamilton, who joined from Mercedes last year, is expected to continue next season when he turns 41. While Hamilton won a sprint race in China last season and finished second in Canada last month, the team remains focused on Leclerc’s performance in his home race as they attempt to regain competitive footing.
