As speculation continues to tease and torment, Ferrari fans around the globe will be biting their nails, eager for Leclerc to put pen to paper past 2024.
In recent weeks, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has been full of praise for the Ferrari driver.
“Charles is a super guy and for the long-term future someone you have to have on your radar but not for the short and medium term. Nobody doubts Charles’ ability and he is a good guy,” he said.
Such flattery will surely tantalise. The question remains over the reliability of Ferrari in helping to deliver Leclerc a world championship.
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There can be no doubt that last year’s runner-up has what it takes to go all the way. But, are Ferrari the team to do it?
Kimi Raikkonen’s title-winning season for the Scuderia in 2007 will feel like a lifetime ago. For a powerhouse such as Ferrari, such a wait is unacceptable.
When quizzed on his future, however, Leclerc maintained an air of promise.
“When I dream of being world champion one day, in my mind I wear a red racing suit and get out of a red car,” the driver claimed.
“For now, I am fully focused on the project I am today which is Ferrari. I fully trust and I’m confident for the future, then we’ll see.”
Will we ever see Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari?
On the flip side of the Leclerc conundrum, we have a seven-time world champion in Lewis Hamilton. Soon to be out of contract and seemingly out of the championship, could Lewis be swapping the silver arrows for a prancing horse?
Intriguingly, Hamilton has been vocal about his admiration for the Italian outfit. Every fan of the sport at some stage would have pondered the idea of Lewis in red.
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However, Toto Wolff is adamant that Hamilton will be a Mercedes driver for the foreseeable, as contract talks continue. For Hamilton, such speculation about his future and the possibility of Leclerc taking his seat has unsurprisingly failed to impact.
“Maybe all the drivers have relationships with different bosses. I like where I am. I love my team. I am grateful for the journey that we’ve been on, and what we’re working on moving forwards. It doesn’t have any impact, no.”
With speculation aside, the Mercedes team principal will undoubtedly have an eye on the future. With Verstappen fully committed to Red Bull, it would appear Leclerc is the obvious choice.