Ferrari has confirmed that it has extended its contract with Charles Leclerc, meaning the youngster will race for the team in Formula 1 through at least 2024.
Leclerc joined Ferrari’s Driver Academy at the start of 2016, winning back-to-back titles in GP3 and Formula 2, before stepping up to Formula 1 with Sauber in 2018.
Leclerc was promoted to a Ferrari seat for 2019 and claimed a grid-best seven pole positions, alongside two victories in Belgium and Italy, to secure fourth place in the Drivers’ Championship, ahead of team-mate Sebastian Vettel.
On Monday Ferrari confirmed that Leclerc, who was originally contracted through 2022, will stay with the team until at least 2024.
“I am very happy to be staying on with Ferrari,” said 22-year-old Leclerc.
“This past season, driving for the most illustrious team in Formula 1, has been a dream year for me.
“I cannot wait to enjoy an even deeper relationship with the team after what has been an intense and exciting 2019. I’m keen to see what the future holds and I can’t wait to get going again next season.”
Team boss Mattia Binotto added: “With each passing race this year, our wish to extend our contract with Charles became ever more self-evident and the decision means he will now be with us for the next five seasons.
“It demonstrates that Charles and the Scuderia have a firm future together.
“Charles has been part of our family since 2016 and we are more than proud of the results we are achieving with our Academy.
“We are therefore very pleased to be able to announce that he will be with us for many years to come and I’m sure that together, we will write many new pages in the history of the Prancing Horse.”
Vettel’s current contract runs through to the end of the 2020 season.
