Leclerc signs new Ferrari deal ahead of home race in Monaco

Charles Leclerc has signed a new multi-year contract extension with Ferrari, announced just days before his home race in Monaco. The Monegasque driver reaffirmed his commitment to the Scuderia, saying "I believe in this team more than ever" as he continues his quest to become world champion.

Why it matters:

The deal secures Ferrari's driver lineup into the foreseeable future, locking in Leclerc alongside Lewis Hamilton (contracted through 2027). It also signals Ferrari's unwavering belief in Leclerc despite the championship still eluding the team since 2008. The extension puts Leclerc on track to surpass Michael Schumacher's record of 180 Ferrari starts — he currently stands at 155.

The details:

• Leclerc's words: "It's the team I've loved and dreamt of being part of since I was a child... it has become a second family." He stressed the shared goal of bringing the world championship back to Maranello.
• Team principal Fred Vasseur: "This renewal feels very natural. We have seen him grow into one of the strongest drivers in Formula 1, completely at one with the team."
• Contract length: Described as covering "the coming seasons", expected to keep Leclerc in red well beyond Schumacher's start record.
• Statistics: Leclerc has eight victories and 27 pole positions with Ferrari — still far from Schumacher's benchmarks, but the team's faith remains unshaken.

What's next:

Leclerc now turns attention to the Monaco Grand Prix, where he won for the first time in 2024 after years of near-misses. A strong result would cap an emotional weekend. Beyond that, the joint project with Hamilton and the 2026 regulation change loom as key opportunities for Ferrari to finally end its title drought. As Vasseur put it, the journey is far from over.