Charles Leclerc reveals rival offers before signing new Ferrari contract
Charles Leclerc has revealed he rejected contract offers from rival Formula 1 teams before signing a new long-term deal with Ferrari ahead of his home Monaco Grand Prix.
The Italian constructor announced the extension on Wednesday, tying the Monegasque driver to the team until at least the end of the 2028 season.
Speculation surrounding his immediate future had been minimal, but the new agreement serves as a major declaration of mutual faith under the sport’s current regulations.
‘Ferrari was always the choice’
Asked directly in Monaco whether alternative options existed elsewhere on the grid, the 28-year-old confirmed he had attracted outside interest.
“There were, yes, but I’m not going to say who,” he stated.
“They can say it if they want, but for me Ferrari was always the choice.”
The academy graduate first joined the Maranello-based outfit in 2016 before securing a full race seat three years later following a successful loan spell at Sauber.
Belief in Vasseur’s masterplan
He is currently on track to surpass Michael Schumacher’s all-time appearance record for the iconic brand next year.
However, while the legendary German secured 72 race victories and five world titles in red, the current talisman’s tally sits at just eight wins.
Despite his best championship finish remaining a distant second to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in 2022, he insists he has no strict timeline for achieving ultimate title success.
“I love the team, I think that’s pretty obvious from the outside,” he added.
“It’s been eight years with the Formula 1 team, 10 years with Ferrari as a whole, and they were one of the first to believe in me.”
He credits team principal Frederic Vasseur with revitalising the squad’s ambitions to return to the pinnacle of motorsport.
“With Fred, we have a very good relationship and I strongly believe he’s the person that will be able to bring Ferrari back to the top,” he concluded.
