Ferrari extension set to take Leclerc F1 contract into 2030s

Charles Leclerc has committed himself to Formula 1's current longest driver contract with a new deal at Ferrari that is expected to keep him there beyond 2030.

Ahead of Leclerc's home race, the Monaco Grand Prix, Ferrari announced a "renewal of its agreement" with Leclerc that was light on details beyond simply saying that he will "continue to wear the team's colours for the coming seasons".

But with Leclerc already having a contract in place until 2029, The Race understands that the new deal is an extension from that - so likely keeps him committed at Maranello into the 2030s.

The timing of the Leclerc announcement is somewhat of a surprise, as this year was viewed as a crucial one in dictating his long-term F1 future amid his desire to be a world champion.

Ferrari has not started the year as strongly as it hoped, with Mercedes having won all the main grands prix and the SF-26 held back by a lack of power and straightline speed.

But Leclerc has still clearly seen enough at Ferrari to believe it is the right place to be longer term, especially as there are limited options elsewhere.

While Mercedes would likely be a good alternative option, it currently has George Russell and Kimi Antonelli on tap for next year and any interest it has shown outside of that duo has revolved around Red Bull's four-time F1 champion Max Verstappen.

At McLaren, both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are locked down to long-term contracts and have no reason to change if they continue their current performance levels.

Speaking about his new Ferrari deal, Leclerc said: "I couldn't be happier to continue this journey with Scuderia Ferrari HP.

"It has always been so much more than just a team to me. It's the team I've loved and dreamt of being part of since I was a child, and after all these years it has become a second family.

"Together we've shared incredible moments and some tougher ones, but I believe in this team more than ever, and I'm deeply grateful that we will keep pushing side by side toward our shared goal of bringing the world championship back to Maranello."

Leclerc originally joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2016, securing the Formula 2 title in 2017 and stepping up to F1 with Sauber the following year.

He was promoted to Ferrari in 2019 and is behind only Michael Schumacher in terms of grand prix appearances made for the team. If he sees out his contract he will beat that record.

Getting Leclerc to stay on such a long-term deal is an obvious choice for Ferrari, as it ensures it has one of the very best drivers on the grid locked down.

Team principal Fred Vasseur said that there was nothing unusual in extending the deal with Leclerc.

"Charles has been part of the Ferrari family for many years now and this renewal feels like something very natural for us," he said.

"Over these seasons we have seen him grow, to become not only one of the strongest drivers in Formula 1, but also a person who is completely at one with the team and everything Ferrari represents."

With Leclerc's future sorted, attention will shift to what happens with Ferrari's second car.

The length of Lewis Hamilton's contract has never been made official, but the seven-time champion said at the recent Canadian GP that he was committed at least until the end of 2027.

Asked if everything was clear for him for next season, Hamilton said: "Yep. I'm still in contract, so everything is 100% clear to me.

"And yeah, I'm still focused, I'm still motivated, I still love what I do with all my heart, and I'm going to be here for quite some time, so get used to it.

"There's a lot of people that are trying to retire me and that's not even on my thoughts. I'm already thinking of what will be next, planning for the next five years. But yeah, still plan to be here for some time."