ANALYSIS: Why a less rigid deal for Leclerc and Ferrari makes sense for both sides

F1 Correspondent & PresenterLawrence Barretto
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 26: Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Scuderia Ferrari looksABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 26: Charles Leclerc of Monaco and Scuderia Ferrari looks on during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on November 26, 2023 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by James Gasperotti/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images)

Ferrari have made no secret of wanting to lock Charles Leclerc down for the foreseeable future – so the news he has signed a contract extension is not surprising.

However, while the team made clear Leclerc was locked down for five seasons to the end of 2024, when they last gave a contract update for the Monegasque, this time they’ve been more opaque.