Charles Leclerc has identified Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur as the decisive influence behind his decision to sign a new contract with the Italian team ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend. The Monegasque driver revealed his complete faith in Vasseur’s leadership and strategic vision for the Scuderia’s future, describing the Frenchman as the primary reason he committed to extending his stay at Maranello.
While Leclerc’s contract still runs through 2028, the new agreement represents a substantial salary increase that elevates his annual earnings to an estimated €50 million. Combined with Lewis Hamilton’s reported €60 million salary, Ferrari now carries an unprecedented driver payroll of approximately €110 million per year, marking the first time in Formula 1 history that a team has allocated a nine-figure sum to cover both drivers’ contracts.
The 26-year-old driver emphasized his alignment with Vasseur’s vision, stating: “Mostly Fred. I mean, I’m very on board with his vision and, yeah, I really believe in Fred.” Leclerc praised the team principal’s influence on the current car development, noting the innovative approach and long-term planning under Vasseur’s leadership since taking control of the project.
Despite years of falling short in his ultimate goal of winning a Formula 1 championship with Ferrari, Leclerc maintains unwavering confidence in the team’s direction. He expressed belief in the current trajectory, explaining that while everyone wants to win as quickly as possible, he fully supports the vision to return Ferrari to the top of the sport and feels more optimistic about the project than ever before.