Leclerc Laughs Off Rumors and Dishes on Lack of F1 Contract Talks with Ferrari

Sure, let’s put some zoom in this F1 story with a fresh spin:

In 2019, Charles Leclerc buckled into a five-year commitment with Ferrari, steering clear of any uncertainty. But like a rogue driver cutting through traffic, false reports spun out of control this summer, hinting at a new £150 million deal encompassing a two-year extension and a potential three more seasons in the Ferrari cockpit.

Leclerc, however, skidded past those tales with a humorous dismissal, saying he’d love if such a lavish deal were true. But as he revealed, he and Ferrari’s top dogs haven’t even pulled into pit lane for negotiations yet.

Expressing satisfaction with his and Ferrari’s future roadmap, Leclerc emphasized the focus is now on tuning the 2023 car’s performance. The real talks? They’ll start after the finish line of this year, like a well-timed pit stop.

Putting on his best mock-enthusiast tone, he said, “I wish I signed this rumored Ferrari contract – it looks like a hot lap of a deal! But alas, there’s been no new paperwork, no haggling. Just full throttle on the car and the season. We’ll get around to those talks eventually, but there’s no rush in this race.”

The photo finish features Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, both in their Scuderia Ferrari gear, snapped by James Sutton / F1 Flow Images.

In a straightaway, Leclerc clarified that he’s not in a hurry to ink new documents, despite the ticking clock on his current five-year deal. With 18 months left, he feels there’s still plenty of road ahead.

“I’m not looking in the rearview mirror here,” Leclerc explained, relaxed. “It’s a year and a half, which may seem like a quick lap since I’ve been in a five-year contract. But trust me, there’s no rush to the finish line. If I were sweating, I’d have hit the gas on these talks already. But it’s all good in the garage.”

When probed if the decision to hold off on talks was a two-way street with Ferrari, Leclerc replied, “Well, you could say we’re in sync, but not in words. Neither of us has mentioned it, and that’s the right strategy. There’s no rush, just like there’s no rush in an endurance race.”

More reads from the track:

• Russell: To dub 2023 F1 season a flop for Mercedes is a spinout
• Sainz: Getting a grip on “very peaky” F1 car is Ferrari’s 2023 pole position
• Bottas: Sauber F1 to embrace a “more corporate” pit lane under Audi’s wheel

In short, Leclerc and Ferrari seem to be on cruise control regarding the contract. The wheel’s not wobbling; it’s just that they’re not in a hurry to change the tires. Maybe after the season, they’ll roll into negotiations, but for now, they’re just enjoying the drive. Buckle up, folks; this ride’s not over yet!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Contract Negotiations

More about Contract Negotiations

• Leclerc explains why there’s been no F1 contract talks with Ferrari yet
• Russell: Wrong to call 2023 F1 season a failure for Mercedes
• Sainz: Understanding “very peaky” F1 car Ferrari’s main focus for 2023
• Bottas: Sauber F1 will become “more corporate” under Audi