Charles Leclerc has signed a five-year contract extension with Ferrari on Monday that will keep the Monegasque with the team until the end of the 2024 season.
During 2019 season, Leclerc won two races in his first season at Ferrari. The 22-year old driver finished fourth in the championship.
“I’m very happy to be staying on with Scuderia Ferrari. This past season, driving for the most illustrious team in Formula 1 has been a dream year for me,” Leclerc said.
Meanwhile, Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto was happy with this new contract. He believes Leclerc will do his best for the team.
“I cannot wait to enjoy an even deeper relationship with the team after what has been an intense and exciting 2019. I’m keen to see what the future holds and I can’t wait to get going again next season.” Leclerc added.
“With each passing race this year, our wish to extend our contract with Charles became ever more self-evident and the decision means he will now be with us for the next five seasons. It demonstrates that Charles and the Scuderia have a firm future together.” Binotto said.
“Charles has been part of our family since 2016 and we are more than proud of the results we are achieving with our academy. We are therefore very pleased to be able to announce that he will be with us for many years to come and I’m sure that together, we will write many new pages in the history of the Prancing Horse.” Binotto added.
Meanwhile, Leclerc team-mate, Sebastian Vettel, has one year left on his contract with Ferrari. The German joined the Italian manufacturer since 2015.
Leclerc has to perform against Vettel on equal terms. If he doesn’t he will be known as a guy in the right car at the right time.
Ferrari has high expectations for Leclerc, both as a driver that can reliably contribute points towards a constructor championship, and as a spur to its defacto number one driver.