Ferrari extension set to take Leclerc F1 contract into 2030s

Charles Leclerc has signed a contract extension with Ferrari that will keep him with the team beyond 2030, making it the longest driver deal in F1. The announcement came ahead of his home race in Monaco, with Leclerc expressing his continued belief in the Scuderia despite a challenging start to the 2026 season.

Why it matters:

Leclerc's commitment secures Ferrari's long-term driver lineup amid a competitive driver market. It also signals that Leclerc still sees Ferrari as his best chance to win a world championship, even as the team lags behind Mercedes early in the new regulations.

The details:

• Leclerc’s existing contract ran until 2029; the new deal extends beyond that, likely into the early 2030s.
• The timing is notable: Ferrari has struggled in 2026, with Mercedes winning most races and the SF-26 lacking power and straightline speed.
• Despite this, Leclerc saw enough potential at Ferrari to commit long-term, with few attractive alternatives elsewhere.
  • Mercedes has Russell and Antonelli; McLaren has Norris and Piastri locked in.
• Team principal Fred Vasseur called the renewal "natural," noting Leclerc's growth as both a driver and a team figure.
• Leclerc said Ferrari "has become a second family" and reaffirmed the shared goal of bringing the championship back to Maranello.

What's next:

• With Leclerc secured, attention shifts to the second Ferrari seat. Lewis Hamilton's contract runs at least through 2027, and the seven-time champion has dismissed retirement talk, planning to stay "for quite some time."
• Leclerc's extension also puts him on track to surpass Michael Schumacher's record for most grand prix appearances with Ferrari if he sees out the deal.