Leclerc teases 'best is yet to come' as he commits to F1 title fight with Ferrari

Charles Leclerc has teased "the best is yet to come" after extending his contract with his "second family" Ferrari, in what will be a long-term deal with the Scuderia.

The 26 year-old was rumoured to have been close to signing a five-year deal towards the end of last year.

Ferrari's announcement does not specify exactly how many years the new deal will cover, but it is reportedly until the end of 2029.

Leclerc's association with Ferrari streches back to 2016, when he joined the Ferrari Driver Academy. He won both the GP3 (now Formula 3) and Formula 2 titles, before graduating to F1 with Ferrari customer team Sauber in 2018.

He would later be promoted to Ferrari in 2019, and has since taken part in 103 races, finished on the podium 30 times, set seven fastest race laps and scored 1035 points.

Lecerc: I believe the best is yet to come

Leclerc himself was happy to continue his partnership with the team, despite the on-track troubles that plagued his 2023 season.

"I’m very pleased to know that I will be wearing the Scuderia Ferrari race suit for several more seasons to come," said Leclerc.

"To race for this team has been my dream since I was three years old: I used to watch the Monaco Grand Prix from the window of a friend’s apartment at Ste. Devote corner and I would always look out for the red cars.

"This team is my second family ever since I joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2016 and we have achieved a lot together, fighting through thick and thin over the past five years.

"However, I believe the best is yet to come and I can’t wait for this season to start, to make further progress and be competitive at every race. My dream remains that of winning the World Championship with Ferrari and I’m sure that in the years ahead, we will enjoy great times together and make our fans happy."