Ferrari has announced a long-term contract extension with Charles Leclerc, just days before his home race, the Monaco Grand Prix. The 28-year-old Monegasque has been with the Maranello-based team since 2019, securing eight race wins.

“I couldn’t be happier to continue this journey with Scuderia Ferrari HP. It has always been so much more than just a team to me,” Leclerc said in a statement on Wednesday. His previous extension was in 2024.

Leclerc currently sits third in the 2026 drivers' championship, 56 points behind Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli, who has won the last four races and leads teammate George Russell by 43 points.

With 155 races for Ferrari, Leclerc has more appearances for the team than any other driver except retired seven-time champion Michael Schumacher. He also ranks second in pole positions behind the German.

Ferrari did not disclose the contract length, only stating that Leclerc would continue for the “coming seasons.” Team principal Fred Vasseur said: “Charles has been part of the Ferrari family for many years now and this renewal feels like something very natural for us.”

Leclerc's teammate is seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who joined from Mercedes last year on a multi-year deal and is expected to race next season at age 41. Hamilton is fourth in the standings, three points behind Leclerc.

Ferrari has not won a Grand Prix since 2024 or a championship since 2008, though Hamilton won a Saturday sprint in China last season and finished second in Canada last month.

Leclerc has two podiums this season (third in Australia and Japan) and is a strong favorite for his home race, with Ferrari expected to be competitive on the slowest track on the calendar.

Source: www.aljazeera.com