Ferrari star Charles Leclerc has responded to speculation about a possible move to Formula 1 competitor Mercedes.
The winter break is not the main time for driver rumors in Formula 1, but even apart from the much hotter “silly season” in summer, there has been speculation in recent weeks that Charles Leclerc will sign up for a Ferrari after the end of his contract period Change to Mercedes could decide.
The Monegasque contract with the Scuderia expires at the end of 2024. Will Leclerc then take the place of record world champion Lewis Hamilton, who will be 40 at the beginning of 2025? According to Leclerc’s latest words, this cannot be completely ruled out.
In any case, the 25-year-old Ferrari star knows the rumors and has now responded to the Italian media with a message to Scuderia fans.
“I know you’re afraid that I could go to Mercedes if Hamilton is gone,” he was quoted as saying by Quotidiano Nazionale. “But to be honest, there are no negotiations. I’m happy with Ferrari,” emphasized Leclerc, who began his Formula 1 career at Sauber in 2018 and switched to Rennstell from Maranello a year later.
There you would like to extend with the shooting star, who was the worst rival of the later defending champion Max Verstappen (Red Bull) last season. In the end, it was enough for Leclerc to become runner-up due to wrong decisions in the strategy team and his own mistakes.
Leclerc is living the Formula 1 dream at Ferrari
That is set to change in 2023. In the season that is about to start, Leclerc not only wants to fight for the title until the end, but also wants to celebrate it again after 16 unsuccessful years at and with Ferrari.
Regarding the highly acclaimed launch of the SF-23, where the Scuderia presented the new car in front of numerous spectators and immediately put it on the track, Leclerc said: “I feel the enthusiasm of the fans, I’m excited about the idea of making the dream come true – mine and everyone else’s – with the red car.”