Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur asserts that extending Charles Leclerc at the squad beyond the 2024 campaign is not his number one priority.
Leclerc’s deal with the Italian squad expires at the end of 2024, having signed a multi-year extension a number of seasons ago.
The Monegasque driver has been part of the Ferrari family for a number of years, having been a member of its junior academy before gaining an F1 promotion in 2018 with Sauber.
Leclerc joined Ferrari the following year and has taken numerous grand prix victories and podiums – however he is still awaiting his maiden F1 title.
Leclerc’s team-mate Carlos Sainz is also contracted to the end of the 2024 season, but Vasseur says that it is not yet time to talk about extending the pair.
“I know both drivers quite well, and I think we still have some time before we start talking about the future,” he said.
“For me today this is not the number one priority.
“We have to start the season very well then there will be time for the rest, I think it would be a mistake to start negotiations at a time when the priority is another one.”
When he was asked specifically about Leclerc, Vasseur said: “I don’t want to put this topic on the table today, I think it wouldn’t be a good way to start the collaboration.
“We have to be focused on the sporting side, to get results. And it’s like for the wedding, if both sides of the table are happy with the situation, that we will continue.
“But I think it’s not the priority today. We have a good relationship. And we’ll have time to discuss about this.
“First, I think the only topic today, we have to be focused on pure performance and to get results.”
