Charles Leclerc has revealed that contract talks with Ferrari “haven’t started yet”, despite the Monegasque being linked with a new deal potentially taking him to the end of 2029.
It’s been rumoured that Leclerc has agreed to a deal with Ferrari until the end of 2026, which has the option for an additional three seasons.
According to Leclerc though, nothing has been discussed just yet.
Despite this, he intends to remain at Ferrari due to his “love” for the team, with him quashing any suggestions that he could move elsewhere.
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“The rumours that put me in other teams just means that I’m doing my job well. But I’m indifferent about them because I know what I want. I still don’t know what Ferrari wants from me,” Leclerc told Corriere dello Sport.
“The discussions about the contract haven’t started yet, but everything is clear to me. I love Ferrari and I want to win here. That is my priority.”
Leclerc has been linked to the likes of Mercedes this season due to how difficult the 2023 campaign has been for him, mostly because of Ferrari’s troubling SF-23.
He’s finished on the podium just three times in the opening 12 races, with his best result having been second at the Austrian Grand Prix.
Ahead of the summer break last season, Leclerc had already won three races and was a title contender.
He is most definitely not in the championship fight this year, neither are the Maranello-based team.
He recognises that his car this season isn’t great and that “miracles do not exist”; however, he stressed that himself and the team understand “how to improve”.
“I look for motivation in whatever situation I find myself in to make the most of what we have,” Leclerc told Corriere dello Sport.
“At the moment the car is what it is and unfortunately miracles do not exist. But that’s where you have to find the strength to continue.
“At the beginning of the season we almost had to reset our expectations because the car was not at the level we expected,” he added. “But we are clear about how we have to improve.”
Leclerc is clearly keen to be part of Ferrari’s rebuild under the leadership of Frederic Vasseur, whom the 25-year-old knows very well.
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Vasseur appears to actually be a key reason as to why Leclerc wants to stay with the Italians going forwards, with the driver’s and team principal’s plans being “aligned”.
“Yes, apart from the love for Ferrari that has always existed and continues to exist, I share many things with Fred, and many of them have to do with plans for the future. We are aligned,” Leclerc said.
“I know what is coming and I have faith.”