General
Ferrari not in talks with Leclerc and Sainz over new contract for now
- GPblog.com
During his first contact with the press, Frederic Vasseur, as Ferrari' s new team boss, was immediately asked about the drivers' contract situations. Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz are both still under contract until 2024, but extending and possibly upgrading these contracts might be smart to keep the duo out of the hands of the competition.
Indeed, there is a chance that Lewis Hamilton will quit Formula 1 after the 2024 season. The seven-time world champion looks set to remain active at the highest level at least next season, as Toto Wolff calls a contract extension a matter of time. Hamilton seems more likely to extend his contract through 2024 than through 2025.
Wolff may have to look for a new driver by then, and Leclerc could be an ideal candidate. Ferrari must therefore be on time with handing out a new contract or contracts if they want to keep Sainz on board as well. For now, however, there are no talks scheduled with either driver about any new commitments.
Priority Ferrari lies elsewhere
"I know both drivers quite well and I think we have some time before we have to talk about the future," Vasseur is quoted by Motorsport.com. "For me it is not the first priority at the moment. We need to start the season very well, then there will be time for the rest. I think it would be wrong to start negotiations at a time when the priority is elsewhere."
Vasseur's other priority, besides making sure the 2023 car is immediately fast on the asphalt, is getting to know the team. The Frenchman was hired to make sure mistakes like last season do not happen again. Vasseur must learn to understand the procedures and get to know his employees to ensure that Ferrari performs to the maximum in Grands Prix.