With $204,000,000 on the Table, Charles Leclerc Allowed to “Free Himself” From Ferrari Shackles if Loyalty Doesn’t Pay Off

Published 08/05/2023, 7:00 AM EDT

Sebastian Vettel was Charles Leclerc’s predecessor as the lead Ferrari title challenger. While it was Vettel’s dream to race & win for Ferrari, the German, after frustrating years at the Maranello stable, left the team and went to Aston Martin. Charles Leclerc has now provided himself with the same chance of freeing himself from Ferrari’s shackles if his loyalty doesn’t pay off. However, there’s $204,000,000 on the table up for grabs. How has Leclerc presented himself with this opportunity?

Charles Leclerc has been with Ferrari since 2019 and only came close to challenging for the title last year. Leclerc has been vocal about how he wants and dreams about winning the championships wearing the Ferrari Red. Although, it has only brought disappointment to the Monegasque so far with no real challenge this year as well. The contract situation is also a tricky one for Leclerc.

Leclerc’s Ferrari contract runs out at the end of next year. Rumors have been going around of the Monegasque being presented with a 2+3 year contract. It is speculated that there is no exit clause in the first two years of the contract. However, after 2026, every other year will be having a performance-related exit clause. The whole 5-year contract is said to be worth $204,000,000.

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With the new regulations coming in 2026, Charles Leclerc has made the option to leave the team available from 2027 if Ferrari doesn’t get the new regulations right. Leclerc breathes Ferrari and is as loyal as a driver can be. But, if Ferrari doesn’t provide a competitive car, the Monegasque driver wouldn’t have much choice and would have to free himself.

According to Formulapassion.it, sportune.20minutes.fr reported “For this reason, the 2027, 2028 and 2029 seasons include exit clauses based on performance and results that will eventually allow Charles Leclerc to free himself from the contract that will bind him to the Maranello team.” [translated via Google]

Despite Rumors of $60,000,000 Negotiations, Charles Leclerc’s Clever Tactics Leave Ferrari Future in a Limbo

Time will tell if Charles Leclerc’s loyalty will pay off. However, nothing is confirmed yet and Leclerc also doesn’t seem to be in any kind of a hurry. About a month ago the 25-year-old suggested that he’s in no hurry to sign a contract. Let’s see what he had to say.

Charles Leclerc suggests contract negotiations are not on his mind

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Ferrari really needs to get going and start challenging for the wins. As the Scuderia struggles, Leclerc revealed how the contract talks have started but it’s not his priority at the moment as there’s still a long way to go before the current contract ends. He concluded by suggesting that he loves Ferrari and is happy staying to be with the team.

According to Skysports.com, Charles Leclerc said “We’re starting slowly to speak about it, yes.” Suggesting how there’s no particular deadline and that there’s still a year and a half to go, he added “To be honest, it’s not really on my mind yet. When I say we slowly started talking about it, it’s just here and there, but nothing special, nothing specific. I love Ferrari, so I’m happy here.”

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What do you think? Is Charles Leclerc’s 2+3 contract a smart move by the Monegasque?

WATCH THIS STORY | Charles Leclerc’s Resurgence Postponed as Frederic Vasseur Still Stands Engulfed in the Trial and Error Ways of Bouncing Back

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Written by:

Pranay Bhagi is an F1 writer at EssentiallySports, who has always been passionate about sports and writing. With a degree from a prestigious institute, he has channeled his enthusiasm into sports journalism, particularly F1, a sport that has captivated him for over a decade. Pranay's deep-rooted love for the sport began during the Sebastian Vettel era, and he has been following it religiously ever since.

Edited by:

Aishwary Gaonkar

With $204,000,000 on the Table, Charles Leclerc Allowed to “Free Himself” From Ferrari Shackles if Loyalty Doesn’t Pay Off

Charles Leclerc suggests contract negotiations are not on his mind

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