Leclerc-Ferrari: the figures and details behind the contract extension
“Always red”: that was the message Ferrari and Charles Leclerc used to announce the Monegasque driver’s contract extension. The agreement sends a strong signal regarding the Scuderia’s intention to continue building its future around the number 16 driver, who has been at the wheel of a Ferrari since 2019 and is widely regarded as the cornerstone of Maranello’s sporting project.
But for how long will that remain the case? Ferrari’s official statement leaves room for interpretation, simply confirming that Charles Leclerc will “continue to wear the team’s colors in the coming seasons.”
Charles Leclerc and Ferrari: the partnership continues
According to the latest reports, Charles Leclerc and Ferrari have extended the terms of the previous agreement signed in 2024. That contract was originally expected to run until 2029, meaning that this new extension should keep Charles Leclerc at Ferrari at least through the 2030 Formula 1 season, although exit clauses are reportedly included.
According to reports from The Race, the agreement could even extend beyond that date.
From a financial standpoint, the renewal represents a significant increase in Charles Leclerc’s salary, making him the third-highest-paid driver on the Formula 1 grid behind Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
The new deal reportedly includes progressively increasing earnings over the coming seasons. According to the French publication Sportune, the agreement provides a salary of €40 million in 2027, €44 million in 2028, and €50 million in both 2029 and 2030.
Beyond the contractual details, the extension represents a clear statement of mutual trust. Ferrari believes it can win with Charles Leclerc, while the Monegasque driver evidently considers the Scuderia the best opportunity to challenge for a world championship in the near future.
That decision also reflects the current competitive landscape in Formula 1. Mercedes and McLaren have no shortage of talented drivers, Red Bull remains built around Max Verstappen, and Aston Martin has endured a very difficult start to the new technical era. Against that backdrop, Ferrari and Charles Leclerc have chosen to continue pursuing their shared ambitions together.
Record-breaking numbers on the horizon
Charles Leclerc currently ranks second only to Michael Schumacher in terms of Formula 1 Grands Prix contested for Ferrari. The seven-time world champion started 180 races for the Scuderia, while Charles Leclerc currently stands at 155.
Assuming he remains with Ferrari and continues racing regularly, Charles Leclerc is expected to surpass Michael Schumacher’s total during the 2027 season.
If the Formula 1 calendar remains at 24 races per year and Charles Leclerc stays in Maranello through 2030, he would reach an astonishing total of 268 Grands Prix with Ferrari.
The current benchmark for races contested with a single team is represented by the Lewis Hamilton-Mercedes partnership, which stands at 246 Grands Prix. However, that figure could be surpassed as early as 2027 by the partnership between Max Verstappen and Red Bull, which is projected to reach 215 races before continuing to grow.
Should Charles Leclerc remain at Ferrari until the end of the decade, he would not only strengthen his status as one of the most important drivers in the Scuderia’s modern history but could also establish one of the longest and most enduring partnerships ever seen in Formula 1.
Let other Scuderia Fans know about us
