The signals launched by the pilot and by Frédéric Vasseur during the last few months they were unmistakable. Today the formalization arrived: the marriage between Charles Leclerc and Ferrari continues. Here is the press release that appeared on the official website of the team prancing Horse:
There Scuderia Ferrari is pleased to announce that it has extended the collaboration with Charles Leclerc who will continue to compete for the Italian team also in the next seasons of the Formula 1 world championship.
Charles has grown within the Maranello company since before his arrival in Formula 1, having joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2016. After dominating the Formula 2 championship in 2017, the Monegasque has enjoyed a apprenticed in Grand Prix racing at Sauber and joined the Scuderia in 2019. That season he achieved his first successes, becoming the youngest driver in the team's history to win a victory when he won on the iconic Spa-Francorchamps track ; success repeated a week later in Monza in front of ecstatic fans. In 2022 he triumphed in three further Grands Prix, achieving second place in the Drivers' standings. Known for his extraordinary flying lap driving skills, at just 26 years old Charles is already the second driver in history with the most pole positions at the wheel of a Ferrari, having equaled Niki Lauda on 23, behind only the legendary Michael Schumacher with his 58. He also had 30 podiums, seven fastest laps and 1035 points under his belt with the Scuderia in 103 races.
![Ferrari](https://www.formulacritica.it/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Ferrari-Vasseur.jpg)
Ferrari: the words of Frédéric Vasseur
“Charles' bond with the Scuderia goes beyond that of a driver with his team: Leclerc has been part of the Ferrari family for eight years now, since before he wore the leathers with the Prancing Horse. The DNA of our company as well as its values are part of him and it was therefore natural to agree on the renewal of our collaboration. We know his incessant desire to overcome his limits and we appreciate his great ability to duel and overtake in races. We are determined to give Charles a winning car and I know that his decision and commitment will be elements that can make the difference to the goals we want to achieve“.
Ferrari: Leclerc's words
“I am very happy to continue wearing the Scuderia Ferrari suit in the coming seasons too. Competing for this team has been my dream since I was three years old: I saw the Monaco Grand Prix from the window of a friend's house and at the Santa Devota curve I looked for the red car. This team is my second family, ever since I joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2016 and together we have fought together through adversity and written unforgettable pages over the past five years."
![Ferrari SF-23](https://www.formulacritica.it/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Ferrari-SF-23.jpg)
However, I believe that the best is yet to come and I can't wait to start this season to try to make the team progress further and put us in a position to be competitive at every race. My dream remains to win the title with Ferrari and I am sure that in the years that await us together we will be able to get some great satisfaction and give the fans something to rejoice about.“.
Author: Diego Catalano – @diegocat1977
Photo credits: F1, Scuderia Ferrari