The length of Charles Leclerc's new Formula 1 contract was not publicly disclosed when it was announced by Ferrari, except that it was a 'long-term' deal.
Corriere della Sera, which is well-informed on all things Ferrari, believes that Leclerc's new contract contains a break clause on his side to allow him to leave the team after 2026, if the team has failed to provide him a car capable of challenging for the World Championship.
If not, he is locked into the Scuderia until 2028, which in effect would be a four-year contract extension, with his previous terms set to expire at the end of the coming season.
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That basically means in that Leclerc has signed a five-year Ferrari contract effective immediately. His expiring contract, which ran through 2024, has thus been opened up and upgraded early. As a result, Leclerc will earn just over $30 million this year instead of $24 million. On top of that could come several (millions in ) bonuses.
As a result of agreeing to a fresh contract, Leclerc will earn just over $30 million in the coming year in terms of base salary a rise from around the $24 million mark he previously enjoyed.
Bonuses for race wins and a championship would push this figure higher.
Incrementally, Leclerc's remuneration is set to steadily increase to as much as $50 million a year in base salary, but only if he is still a Ferrari driver come 2028.
As for his team-mate Carlos Sainz, talks with Ferrari are ongoing but no news of a potential renewal are thus far coming, with Sainz linked with a potential move to Audi when it arrives for 2026.
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