MADRID, 25 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Monegasque Charles Leclerc renewed his contract with Ferrari this Thursday, so he will continue as a driver for the Italian team “beyond 2024”, a period in which he hopes to fulfill his “dream” of becoming Formula 1 world champion, according to a release.
“Ferrari is pleased to announce that it has extended its contract with Charles Leclerc, who will therefore continue to drive for the Italian team in the Formula 1 World Championship beyond the 2024 season,” the team announced on its website.
Leclerc thus reinforces his bond with Ferrari, which dates back to 2016, when he entered the Ferrari Driver Academy. In 2017, he was Formula 2 champion, and a year later he raced for Sauber finishing with 39 points. The Monegasque cut his teeth before being promoted to the 'Scuderia' in 2019, becoming the youngest driver in the history of the Italian team to win a Grand Prix.
Since it debuted in 2019, the 26-year-old driver has participated in 103 races, reaching the podium 30 times, with 5 wins, 7 fastest laps in the race and 1,035 total points.
“Charles' bond with the 'Scuderia' goes beyond that of a driver and a team, he has been part of the Ferrari family for eight years. His values and those of our team are intertwined, so it was natural that we agreed. “I agree to expand our collaboration,” said team boss Fred Vasseur, while Carlos Sainz's future remains up in the air.
Vasseur highlighted the Monegasque's “extraordinary abilities” to “fight and overtake in the race.” “We are determined to give Charles a winning car and I know that his determination and commitment are elements that can make the difference in helping us achieve our goals,” he said.
For his part, Leclerc was “very happy” to continue wearing the red jumpsuit “for several more seasons.” “Running for this team has been my dream since I was three years old. This team is my second family. The best is yet to come, I am looking forward to this season to continue progressing and being competitive in every race. My dream is still to win the World Championship with Ferrari,” he commented.
In an interview with the team's media, the Monegasque acknowledged that “it is an incredible honor” to continue at Ferrari, a team that “believed” in his potential and “helped him have a place in F1.” “It is incredible to represent these colors all over the world. I feel very lucky, I hope to have many more victories in the future,” he wished.
“We have had very good days together with Ferrari in the past and we have had other very difficult days, but we have grown together and now we continue with the story, which I am very happy about. My goal is, obviously, to bring Ferrari to a place “better, return him to the top of the World Cup. I will do absolutely everything to make this happen together,” he concluded.