As the team prepares to face the trip to Austria one of the most relevant themes in Ferrari remains the same of the pilots' contract, despite there still being a year and a half before the deadline. Both Leclerc and Sainz they have signed, in fact, until 2024. However, Ferrari's disappointing start to the season and the transfer rumours, with uncertainty over the seats of other teams such as Mercedes, which has not yet reached an agreement with Lewis Hamilton they also got the two red drivers involved. Interviewed by the media in Austria, Charles Leclerc gave more updates on the issue.
We start talking about the renewal
In Frederic Vasseur Leclerc has a lot of trust. A trust that the French manager reciprocates. This is why when it comes to Charles' renewal, the Ferrari team principal has no doubts that a rather smooth agreement will be reached. The fact that there is so much talk about it always comes from Ferrari's mixed results. The season started in the worst way for Leclerc, with a retirement, and did not continue in the best way. The calls to the team and the complaints have become more frequent, a symbol of a more stressed and impatient Leclerc, willing to raise his voice. Even in Canada, hot after qualifying, the Monegasque had harshly criticized the team for the choice of tyres.
However, after an open discussion everything returned to normal, so much so that the Monegasque took a step back and openly apologized to the team. Charles certainly needs to be guided, reassured and the disastrous communication of last season played an important role in this.
The contract situation between the two drivers is a little different. Sainz pushes for a renewal, Leclerc is not in a particular hurry, as he reports Motorsport. "We are slowly starting to talk about it, yes. I don't have any particular deadlines and a year and a half is a long time" confirms Leclerc. "I love Ferrari. It was the team that helped me get to where I am. [I have] never hidden the fact that I have always been extremely happy to be at Ferrari. Of course, the team and I are not happy with where we are at the moment, but I think we are all working in the right direction."
The sensations for the weekend in Austria
In Austria the team will bring further updates, to try to get back on the podium. On the other hand, like everyone else, he will have less time given that there will be only one free practice session. The most achievable goal according to Charles is to confirm what was seen in Canada. In fact, Ferrari is still far from the hoped-for levels.
"We are still far from the levels we want to reach – Leclerc explained to the media – I don't think we were the fastest car in Canada, but it was still a step in the right direction especially in terms of feeling and consistency, and when these aspects match performance improves. This is a completely different circuit though, so it will be important to confirm the progress we made in Montreal. With all honesty I don't see any reason why we should have a drop compared to the last race. We spent the first part of this season trying to understand the car and understand why we were so different, in terms of performance, from circuit to circuit. It will be important to confirm our improvements also thanks to the updates made in Spain."
Statement source: Autosport, FormulaPassion
