Charles Leclerc and Ferrari have been finding it quite challenging to beat Max Verstappen and Red Bull on track for the past few seasons. So instead, they decided to do it on the contract-negotiation table. Leclerc joined Ferrari in 2019, hoping to win a championship with the Scuderia. But since then, Ferrari has only had ups and downs—the ups never reaching as high as Ferrari wanted, and the downs reaching lower than they should’ve. 

Before rumors of Leclerc’s speculated 2+3 year contract with Ferrari started, Verstappen’s contract with Red Bull was the longest on the grid, spanning till the end of 2028. And if Leclerc’s deal is confirmed, he could stay at Maranello until 2029. But Leclerc isn’t placing all his trust in Ferrari just yet, and F1 journalist Joe Saward explained how he’s being clever with his negotiations.

How is Charles Leclerc playing it safe with Ferrari negotiations?

As Formula 1’s summer break commenced, so did rumors about driver changes and contract negotiations. With Leclerc’s contract set to end in 2024, the Monegasque is already in talks with Ferrari to extend his tenure. According to Joe Saward’s blog, “There are lots of rumors about Leclerc, including a suggestion that he has signed a new Ferrari deal with a two-plus-three deal to cover 2025 and 2026 with options covering 2027-2029.”

“At 25, Charles is still young enough to trust in Ferrari until he is 32, but such a deal would allow him to see how Ferrari does after the 2026 rule changes.” The 2026 regulation changes are set to shake up the grid with new engine specifications. And if Leclerc signs the 2+3 deal, he’ll be obligated to stay at Ferrari at least until the end of 2026, and depending on Ferrari’s performance after the regulations, he can choose to stay there till 2029 or leave as soon as 2026 concludes. Saward continued, “Money is always an issue, but Charles already has plenty in the bank, and so it is not the primary consideration.”

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Read More: Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc Centric Plans May Lead to Carlos Sainz Getting the Boot in Favor of RB Outcast

With Ferrari already paying him $12 million per year (since 2020), he’s set to get at least $60 million as a result of his new deal. But despite how strong the rumors are, Saward believes no one can be sure. He wrote, “Quite often these days, news is announced as soon as deals are done, as there is no reason to keep them quiet, and so it is safe to assume that nothing is yet set in stone.” Even if Leclerc signs the deal, his future with the Scuderia post-2026 would still be up in the air. And his teammate’s future is even more uncertain.

Carlos Sainz asked for the same deal as Charles Leclerc

Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are both contracted to stay in Ferrari until 2024. And while Leclerc’s negotiations are rumored to be done and dusted, there are speculations that Sainz asked for the same extension. While Ferrari is considering it, and the negotiations are ongoing, many people weren’t too pleased with Sainz’s request, considering he’s not been at Ferrari as long as Leclerc has. Either way, Sainz revealed he won’t sign a new contract before the end of this season.

Saward revealed there might be other options for him, though. He wrote, “There is still talk that Carlos Sainz will be off to Sauber in 2025, prior to the team being transformed into the Audi factory team in 2026. At 28, Sainz is surrounded by a younger generation, and so securing a long-term future is a good career move for him. It is unlikely that Audi will be competitive quickly in 2026, but if it is, Sainz would be in a good place.”

Watch This Story: How Long Will Charles Leclerc Wait for Ferrari – Will He Leave for Some Other Team Post-2024?

Where will Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz be post-2024?