F1 News: Ferrari Chief Explains Charles Leclerc And Carlos Sainz Contract Delays

Ferrari is in no rush to finalise Leclerc and Sainz's contract extensions.

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur explained that he is not in a hurry to extend the contracts of both drivers- Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc. Citing Mercedes' example that it waited until August this year to renew Lewis Hamilton's contract, the team boss prefers giving more time as this is his first season with the team. 

The contracts of both drivers end at the end of 2024- a time when the driver market could be flooded with several options to choose from, as twelve other Formula 1 drivers are set to run out of their contracts at the end of the 24-race season. Could this be the reason for Vasseur's relaxed approach?

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However, reports suggest that Leclerc has already signed a five-year contract with the Red team until 2029, away from the public eye. But, Sainz's long-term future with the Maranello outfit remains uncertain. 

Leclerc joined the team in 2019 after paving his way into the sport through the Ferrari academy, before joining the Sauber F1 team while Sainz drove for Toro Rosso, Renault, and McLaren before joining Ferrari in 2021. 

Ferrari's plan was to renew the contracts of both drivers by the end of the 2023 season but maybe, since this is Vasseur's first season with the team, he might have thought of giving it more time. Taking inspiration from Mercedes, the Ferrari team principal cited Hamilton's contract renewal example that was done in the second half of the season. Speaking to Sky Italy, Vasseur said:

"We are not in a rush to extend the deals but have started discussions. Mercedes did it in August. We are not in a rush at all.

"This season, I was expecting to do it before the end of the year. But the season was a huge one and we have started the discussion. But, again, we are not in a rush."

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