Silencing exit rumors, the Monégasque star secures his future at Maranello with a lucrative extension, vaulting him among F1’s highest earners while shifting contract power toward the driver.
Charles Leclerc is widely regarded as one of the most talented drivers in Formula 1, yet his recent results have not always reflected the ability he has shown behind the wheel. That disconnect had begun to fuel speculation about a potential departure from Ferrari, with reports linking him to interest from other teams on the grid.
His misfortune extended to Monaco, his home race, where he has endured a long and painful history of near-misses and bad luck. From mechanical failures and strategic missteps to car issues and driving errors, the principality has rarely been kind to him.
The most recent chapter was no different — Leclerc was forced to retire from the Monaco Grand Prix after making contact with a barrier on the street circuit. While the full cause of the incident had not been definitively established, a brake failure on his car was suspected.
Prior to the announcement of his new deal with Ferrari, Leclerc had reportedly been on the radar of other teams, with Aston Martin among those said to be sounding out potential replacements for Fernando Alonso, whose future remains uncertain given that the two-time champion is now past the age of 40 and retirement is a constant undercurrent.
How many years does Leclerc's new Ferrari contract cover?
New details have now emerged about the terms of the updated agreement Leclerc has signed with Ferrari — a contract that represents a significant step up in several respects. According to a report from SportTune.20minutes.fr, Leclerc had originally signed a four-season deal at the end of 2024, covering the 2025 through 2028 campaigns.
The first two years were fixed, with the following two structured as options. Ferrari have since exercised the option for the 2027 season, which Leclerc has accepted. More significantly, this extension effectively secures his future at Maranello through to 2030, as the new agreement validates the 2027 and 2028 seasons while adding options for 2029 and 2030.
Crucially, the terms of those final options are structured differently from the original contract: the 2029 season will be activated by Leclerc himself, while the 2030 season will be in Ferrari's hands — meaning the Scuderia becomes dependent on its driver, rather than the other way around. The financial details are equally striking.
At the time of the extension, Ferrari still owed Leclerc a reported 94 million euros in outstanding salary commitments. Under the new terms, he will earn 40 million euros in 2027 and 44 million euros in 2028, making him the third-highest-paid driver in the paddock — behind only Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, and ahead of Lando Norris.
If the 2029 and 2030 options are ultimately activated, the total value of the agreement across those two additional seasons could reach 100 million euros. It is, by any measure, a serious statement of intent from Ferrari about who they see as the cornerstone of their future.
