Fred Vasseur gives a MAJOR update on Ferrari’s contract negotiation with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz

Fred Vasseur revealed the timeframe for the contract negotiations with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.

Fred Vasseur gives a MAJOR update on Ferrari’s contract negotiation with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz

Charles Leclerc (image via wtf1), Fred Vasseur (image via Spogo News), Carlos Sainz (image via Sports Illustrated)

Scuderia Ferrari has one of the most talented driver line-ups in Formula 1. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz have been a stable part of the team for some time now. However, both drivers run out of contracts with the Scuderia at the end of 2024, with rumors emerging regarding their future. Now, Ferrari Team Principal Fred Vasseur has revealed the timeframe for the contract negotiations.

Vasseur recently mentioned that the Maranello would only start discussing new contracts with Leclerc and Sainz at the Japanese GP weekend. The Frenchman aimed to have both drivers secured by the winter break at the end of this year. He said as reported by Soyamotor, “We will start talking about the extension of contracts after the Japanese Grand Prix to be able to sign in winter.”

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The Ferrari team boss was happy with the team’s current drivers. Vasseur believed that Carlos Sainz was the perfect driver for the Scuderia, with the Spaniard even pushing Leclerc from the get-go. As such the Italian team remains keen on securing both its drivers for the future. Fred Vasseur stated, “Leclerc is fantastic in ranking and Carlos has a great capacity for work, which has infected Charles.”

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No number 1 driver at Ferrari

Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz (image via Crash.net)
Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz (image via Crash.net)

Charles Leclerc has the longest contract in the history of Scuderia Ferrari. The Monegasque driver earned a five-year extension with Maranello in 2019 that saw him stay on the team till 2024. Many believed that this put Leclerc as the lead driver of the team, like Max Verstappen‘s position at Red Bull. However, sources have stated that Vasseur will continue to give equal status to both drivers.

A close confidant of Fred Vasseur mentioned that Ferrari will not have an arrangement like Red Bull. Instead, the faster driver on the track will get priority on a race-to-race basis. The source said, “Frederic will not leave Maranello’s keys to Charles as Horner has done with Milton Keynes’ to Max. It is one of those that, at the moment you have a winning car, will let the track decide.”

Thus, Fred Vasseur has revealed when Ferrari will begin contract talks with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. The Scuderia is interested in re-signing both its drivers that form a strong line-up on the current grid as such, Vasseur is hopeful to secure both Leclerc and Sainz by the winter break at the end of this year.

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