Charles Leclerc will continue to race for Ferrari after the Italian Formula One team announced a long-term contract extension with the 28-year-old driver on the eve of the Monaco Grand Prix, his home race. Ferrari did not disclose the specific length of the new deal, stating only that Leclerc will remain with the team for 'the coming seasons'.
Leclerc joined the Maranello-based team in 2019 and has since claimed eight Grand Prix victories. In Wednesday's announcement, Leclerc said: 'I couldn't be happier to continue this journey with Scuderia Ferrari HP. This team has always been something far greater than just a normal team for me.'
Currently third in the 2026 drivers' standings, Leclerc trails leader Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) by 56 points. He has contested 155 races for Ferrari, more than any other driver in the team's history, behind only retired legend Michael Schumacher in total starts. Leclerc also ranks second in pole positions, again behind Schumacher.
Team principal Fred Vasseur commented: 'Charles has been part of the Ferrari family for many years, and this renewal was a very natural step for us. Over the seasons we have seen him grow into not only one of the strongest drivers in Formula One, but also someone who is completely aligned with the team and all the values that Ferrari represents.'
Leclerc joined the Ferrari Academy in 2016, won the Formula Two championship in 2017, and made his Formula One debut with the Sauber team (now Audi) using Ferrari engines in 2018. His current teammate is seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton of Britain, who joined from Mercedes last year on a multi-year contract and is expected to continue racing next season at age 41. Hamilton currently sits fourth in the standings, three points behind Leclerc.
Ferrari has not won a Grand Prix since 2024, and its most recent championship came in 2008. However, Hamilton won a sprint race in China last season and finished second in Canada last month. Leclerc has two podium finishes this season (third in Australia and Japan) and is expected to perform strongly at his home race this weekend, where Ferrari is considered to have an advantage on the slowest circuit on the calendar – where top speed matters less and grid position is crucial.
Growing up in Monaco, Leclerc became the first local driver to win the Monaco Grand Prix in the championship era in 2024, and has taken pole position there three times in the last five years.
