Charles Leclerc’s contract extension was announced publicly in January, creating anticipation for news about Carlos Sainz’s future with the team. Leclerc allegedly learned about Ferrari’s interest in signing Lewis Hamilton from John Elkann and Fred Vasseur before discussing his own contract. The new agreement binds Leclerc to the team until the end of the 2028 season, although there is an escape clause included. The decision to launch Christian Horner’s car was influenced by an update from Red Bull’s investigation.
Leclerc’s contract renewal was announced in January, heightening the anticipation for news about Carlos Sainz’s contract. However, in February, Ferrari surprised everyone by announcing the signing of Hamilton for the 2025 season and beyond. According to reports, Leclerc was aware of the team’s plans to recruit Hamilton before finalizing his own contract and decided to include an exit clause. The report suggests that Leclerc sees Hamilton’s arrival as an opportunity to elevate his own performance and potentially outshine the seven-time world champion.
Similar to Hamilton’s contract, Leclerc has the option to leave in 2026 if the team’s development doesn’t meet expectations. Nevertheless, Leclerc is confident that Hamilton’s presence will contribute to Ferrari’s progress, drawing from the veteran’s experience with championship-winning teams. While the anticipation for Hamilton’s arrival in 2025 is high, Leclerc and teammate Sainz are focused on the upcoming season. Ferrari aims to close the gap on Red Bull and improve upon their one victory and seven pole positions from last year.
Leclerc, determined to bounce back from a challenging 2023 season, has a lot to prove this year. On the other hand, Sainz finds himself at a crossroads with an uncertain future beyond the upcoming season. He is considering opportunities with Mercedes and Sauber, which seem to be the most appealing options for the Spanish driver.
According to the Source formula1news.co.uk