Ferrari chief Frederic Vasseur has disagreed with Charles Leclerc as confusion reigns over the driver’s contract situation. Both have different views on when a new deal could be finalised, leaving Ferrari fans baffled over who is telling the truth.
Leclerc has claimed contract discussions have already begun while Vasseur has stressed talks will not take place until later in the year. Speaking ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix, Leclerc said: “We’re starting slowly to speak about it, yes.
“To be honest, it’s not really on my mind yet. When I say we slowly started talking about it, it’s just here and there, but nothing special, nothing specific. I love Ferrari, so I’m happy here.” Leclerc added that he had no particular deadlines in place and accepted there was a “long way to go” before his current deal expires.
Leclerc and Carlos Sainz’s contracts both end at the end of 2024 meaning there are still 18 months left on both. However, Leclerc has been linked with a move to Mercedes meaning Ferrari chiefs may want to push ahead with an extension to warn off their rivals.
It comes after Italian media suggested a future move to the Silver Arrows was an “open secret” in the paddock. But 25-year-old Leclerc has repeatedly denied holding talks with Toto Wolff as he continues to support Ferrari.
Sainz is more concerned about having no contract in place and even suggested he could ditch Ferrari if it was not sorted over the winter. Despite the duo openly discussing contracts, Vasseur has stressed talks have not yet begun.
The Frenchman admitted the managers of both drivers have been spoken to with fears a new agreement could be a “distraction”.
He told Corriere della Sera: “There are 18 months to go, the same goes for Charles. At this moment introducing the renewal topic would be a distraction, I told their managers a couple of weeks ago. The priority is for the drivers to work together to develop the car. Then during the summer, or afterwards, we will start talking about it.”
Ferrari have had a difficult campaign with the iconic marque nowhere near the pace of Red Bull. The Scuderia have also dropped behind Aston Martin and Mercedes in the pecking order as they struggle for consistency.
They scored nothing in Australia after a dismal weekend and have only secured five double points finishes all year.
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