Leclerc reveals key detail behind Ferrari F1 extension

Charles Leclerc has revealed that he purposefully left emotion out of his decision to sign an extension with Ferrari, insisting that he believes in the team's direction.

Ferrari announced earlier this year that Leclerc had penned a new deal with the team to remain with the Italian squad long-term.

The exact terms of the new contract have not been publicly revealed, however, it is rumoured that it runs to the end of 2027 with an option to continue until 2029.

Leclerc has raced for Ferrari since 2019 and was part of its junior programme several years prior to his promotion to the front-running outfit.

When asked if his decision to extend his deal was based on rational thinking, Leclerc told media including RacingNews365: “As much as on the track I like to let the instinct [talk], whenever you take those kinds those decisions around a contract, [there] obviously has to be very rational thinking as well.

“I love Ferrari. I will forever be grateful for what they have done for me since the GP3 years when they believed in me and gave me the chance to get to Formula 1 and then join Scuderia Ferrari.

“However, the project behind this needs to make sense, because I'm also aware that if I believe in the project, then obviously you are more motivated as a driver.

“That's when the best driver comes out. So I had to ask myself a question whether this was the best place I see myself to have the best chances to win a championship in the next few years.”

Leclerc hails Vasseur's direction

A major change at the team was made last year when Frederic Vasseur came on board, replacing Mattia Binotto as Team Principal.

Lewis Hamilton, who will join Ferrari next year in place of Carlos Sainz, highlighted that Vasseur was a major factor behind his decision to sign.

Leclerc has also offered support to Vasseur and has bought into the Frenchman's direction.

“I didn't have to think a lot,” he said. “We have very regular discussions with Fred about what he wants to achieve and how he wants to achieve it.

“I am totally on board. I really believe in the vision that he has for Ferrari.

“We are both aligned in the way that we want to win a World Championship as soon as possible.

“It was probably a bit more rational than what I normally do as I [often] take more decisions with the heart than with the head. But this time the project behind it had to be considered.”