Leclerc commits his future to Ferrari: "I love this team and I believe in this project"

Written by Kavi Khandelwal

Charles Leclerc did not just arrive as the home hero at the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix — he arrived as a man who had just signed his name to the next chapter of one of Formula One's most storied partnerships.

The Monégasque driver confirmed a new contract extension with Scuderia Ferrari ahead of the race weekend, extending a relationship that now stretches back a decade, and his words at the drivers' press conference made clear that this was not a decision driven by market forces or careful calculation. It was, in Leclerc's own telling, a matter of love and belief.

Credit: Formula One

When asked about the timing of the announcement, Leclerc said: "I mean, why now? It's not that I had a timeline in my head. But why? I mean, it was very clear. I mean, I love the team. I think that's pretty obvious from the outside. It's been eight years with the Formula One team, ten years with Ferrari as a whole. They've been one of the first people to believe in me and to help me to get to where I am today, and I believe in the project most of all."

Leclerc's loyalty extends beyond simple sentimentality. He joined Ferrari's Driver Academy as a teenager, progressing through the junior categories under their guidance before making his F1 debut with Sauber, now known as Audi, in 2018 — then already a Ferrari-affiliated team — and stepping up to the Scuderia itself in 2019.

The eight seasons since have included victories, pole positions and moments of brilliance, but also a painful absence: a world championship has so far eluded him in red. It is the context against which his renewed commitment must be understood.

Yet Leclerc's faith in the project rests significantly on one man: team principal Frédéric Vasseur, who took over from Mattia Binotto at the start of 2023 and has been reshaping the team's structure and culture ever since.

Credit: Formula One

Leclerc said: "I'm very on board with his vision and, yeah, I really believe in Fred. Obviously, it's the first car that he projected together with the team. Obviously, we are seeing lots of innovation on our car and we have a long-term vision. I mean, not too long, because obviously we all want to win as quickly as possible, but, yeah, as soon as possible to be back on top. I'm on board with this vision and I believe in this vision, so, yeah, that's what makes me believe about this project more than ever."

The 2026 season has brought sweeping technical regulation changes across the grid — new aerodynamic and power unit rules that have reshuffled the competitive order significantly. Ferrari's SF-26 has shown promise in certain areas, but the team have found themselves trailing Mercedes for pace at most circuits.

Leclerc is candid about where the deficit lies and equally clear about the plan to address it.

"I think with Fred we have a very good relationship, and I strongly believe that he is the person that will be able to bring Ferrari back to the top," Leclerc said.

"It's been a good start to the season, obviously not as good as what we would want, because we want to target the world championship, but there's been a lot of innovation on the car. I mean, we know where we are lacking and that's probably more the engine side. We've got a plan coming up and hopefully it will help us to get back to where we want to be."

The mention of the engine is significant. Ferrari develop their own power unit — unlike customer teams who take whatever specification is supplied to them — meaning both the problem and the solution sit entirely within Maranello. It is a challenge, but it is also, in theory, one they have the tools to fix.

Whether a fix arrives in time to affect the 2026 title fight is, as Leclerc acknowledged, far from certain. Mercedes have held the edge since the season opener, and the gap has not been small.

On Ferrari's world championship hopes, Leclerc said: "I think it's very difficult to predict because things can change and swing one way or the other very quickly, especially so early on with those regulations. So, it's probably too early to say, but I see a lot of motivation and everybody's pushing extremely hard back at the factory to try and make sure that we come back closer to Mercedes. So that's a goal, then we'll see whether we achieve it or not."

There was, however, one place where Leclerc allowed himself a degree of quiet confidence: Monaco. The circuit that winds through his hometown streets represents a rare opportunity for Ferrari to close the gap in conditions that should suit their car.

"I think we are in a better place," Leclerc said. "I mean, if there's one track I would bet on us, it's probably Monaco. However, I still believe that Mercedes have had a significant advantage since the beginning of the year, so I think they will be very strong. I think McLaren will be very strong as well. I think Red Bull will be very strong. But it's true that on the other tracks so far, we've been struggling quite a bit on the straights, which should be less of a problem. We have a strong package chassis-wise and aero-wise, so I think it could help us. But Mercedes, I think, will still remain the team to beat."

It is a characteristically measured assessment — no hostages to fortune, no bold declarations. And in a way, it mirrors the logic of the contract extension itself. Leclerc is not promising himself a championship; he is committing to the work it takes to get there.

"I love this team and because I believe in the project," he said. "For these two reasons, yeah, that's why we continue together."

For Leclerc, that is enough. At least for now.