Ferrari extends Leclerc’s contract until 2024

The Monaco-born driver won two of the 21 grands prix in 2019, making him the Italian team’s youngest winner. Also, his seven pole positions were more than anyone else. He ended the campaign fourth overall and above his 32-year-old teammate Sebastian Vettel, a four-time world champion whose contract expires at the end of 2020, in the drivers’ standings.

“I am very happy to be staying on with Scuderia Ferrari. This past season, driving for the most illustrious team in Formula One has been a dream for me,” said Leclerc. “I cannot wait to enjoy an even deeper relationship with the team after what has been an exciting 2019. I’m keen to see what the future holds and I can’t wait to get going again next season.”

The decision ensures Leclerc will be with Ferrari when the sport enters a new era in 2021, with Vettel’s future far from certain. It also means the youngster could be an eventual teammate to six-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, the subject of plenty of speculations about his plans after Mercedes.

The Briton’s contract expires at the end of next year and Ferrari has confirmed meetings with Chairman John Elkann. Team Principal Mattia Binotto indicated the decision to commit to Leclerc, who made his F1 debut with Sauber (now Alfa Romeo) in 2018 before replacing Kimi Raikkonen at Maranello, had been easy. Ferrari finished runner-up to Mercedes this year, despite starting as favourite.