Exclusive: Leclerc on his Ferrari extension and the love he has for his "dream" F1 squad

Ferrari announced on Thursday that its star driver Charles Leclerc had signed a new multi-year contract that should take him to at least a decade with the Scuderia in Formula 1.

So the 28-year-old is playing the patient game considering he is without a world title and has not won a race since October 2024 in Austin, but “I believe in this team” he said. 

The news comes ahead of Leclerc’s home grand prix in Monaco this weekend and the Ferrari driver sat down with Autosport for his first exclusive interview since the announcement. 

AS: You’ve now signed your third contract extension with Ferrari. Was this the one you reflected on the most, or was the decision as natural as on previous occasions?

CL: I think every renewal is always considered carefully and this one was no different. The main factor is believing in the project. As for the love I have for this team, that’s no longer something I need to question, so from that point of view I didn’t have to think much. Then there’s Fred (Vasseur, team boss): we have a unique relationship, and I have great confidence that he’s the right person to bring Ferrari back to the top.

There are also the signs we’ve seen this year. We’re behind Mercedes, that’s true, but I see a lot of innovation. At Maranello there’s a group pushing hard, trying to think differently from the past, even outside the box. We’ve seen new solutions on the car, and that gave me even more confidence, convincing me that this is the team I want to be with.

So, beyond my love for Ferrari - which is obvious - there was also a rational evaluation. Just as there has been with every contract renewal.

Tifosi

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Images

Over the years, have you ever felt the need to consider alternatives to Ferrari? I imagine Nicolas Todt [son of Jean and Leclerc’s manager] has received interest from other top teams. How easy was it to stay focused on one choice?

I’ve never really considered alternatives. There have certainly been conversations, because after 10 years in this paddock you build relationships that go beyond the professional sphere. Sometimes there are discussions that I consider natural, but I can confirm that those matters concern Nicolas much more than me.

As far as I’m concerned - and I want to emphasise this - what I wanted to do has always been very clear.

You’re Monegasque, but you’ve now spent many years immersed in a deeply Italian environment. Last year Lewis Hamilton called you ‘Mr Ferrari’, highlighting how much you’ve become part of the Scuderia. Did that sense of belonging influence your decision? Sometimes leaving your comfort zone can be harder than it seems.

I don’t think so. Throughout my motorsport career I’ve changed teams many times, from karting through the junior categories. Even when you stay with the same team, the people you work with often change from one season to the next.

It’s true that I’ve been in the same environment for eight years, but many people here have changed too. The comfort zone has never been part of my reasoning when making decisions. It would be wrong to choose where to stay simply because you feel comfortable.

What I want is to win. I’ve always said that and what I really want is to win in red. This renewal is aimed at bringing Ferrari back to the top.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes

Photo by: Rudy Carezzevoli / Getty Images

Let’s suppose that when this agreement expires, you’ll have completed 11 seasons in Formula 1, 10 of them with Ferrari. Yet you’ll still be only 31 years old. Do you ever think about how long your future in this sport could still be?

I love this sport, and I consider myself very fortunate to do what I’m doing. But it’s difficult to have a clear vision of the future, to imagine how I’ll feel in two, three, five, or 10 years. It depends on many things.

Formula 1 has always been the most important thing in my life, but I’m also someone who loves family, and today I don’t know where I’ll be or what my situation will be in a few years. There could be aspects that influence my overall outlook.

Having children?

For example, yes. But if you ask me what I think today, then I’ll tell you I’d race in Formula 1 until I’m 45! But I wouldn’t want to be so certain now and then change my mind in three years.

As I said, it’s difficult to imagine today what my life will be like in three or five years. But I absolutely love Formula 1 and would like to continue for as long as possible.

In Formula 1 we’re used to hearing a lot of standard, scripted statements. As a result, some people have come to view your ‘I love Ferrari’ comments as something you were expected to say. Today, looking at your choices, it seems obvious there’s much more behind those words.

Well… I hope that’s clear by now! At first it was the love for this team, for this brand, for what Ferrari represents. Then, after 10 years, first in the Ferrari Driver Academy and then in the Scuderia, I’ve built relationships that mean a lot to me.

Leclerc won his maiden grand prix during his debut year with Ferrari at Spa, 2019

Photo by: Joe Portlock / Motorsport Images

I have special connections with so many people, and that further strengthens my determination to win with this team. Everyone working in Maranello has been giving their all for many years, and yes, that’s what I want to do.

So far, you’ve always shared the garage with team-mates who were more experienced than you - from [Sebastian] Vettel to [Carlos] Sainz to Hamilton. Have you ever thought that after this renewal there may come a time when you’ll be the team’s most experienced reference point?

It’s strange, isn’t it? Time passes for everyone, including me. That moment will come, and I think it will be an extra motivation.

I’ve always been motivated by competing against the best drivers in the world. I’ve been fortunate to have very strong team-mates like Carlos [Sainz], Seb [Vettel], and Lewis, and I’ve learned something from all of them.

But having a younger driver alongside me would be absolutely fine as well.

When you look at your resume and see eight victories in eight seasons, do you feel more pride in what you’ve built or regret for what slipped away on certain occasions?

Of course I’d like to have more victories, and I’d like to have won a world championship. Those are things I still don’t have.

Leclerc celebrates winning the 2024 Monaco GP

Photo by: Ferrari

But I’ve had the chance to race for the team that always made me dream. And I also think about loyalty towards the people who helped me at a crucial moment in my career, allowing me to get where I am today. If Ferrari hadn’t believed in me, I don’t know if I’d be here now. That’s very important to me.

Sure, I’d like more success on my resume, but I think everyone always wants something more, even when they’ve already won a lot. It’s true that victories and a world title are what I’m missing and what I want to achieve. I hope it happens soon.

Will you dive into the harbour on Sunday evening?

I hope so. That’s the goal. But above all, I hope to throw Fred into the sea as well!