Formula One drivers rarely make career-defining decisions without weighing what lies ahead. Charles Leclerc recently faced a crossroads with Ferrari, but the Monegasque has chosen to remain with the team and has now explained why. 

On June 3rd, 2026, Leclerc announced his contract extension with the Maranello-based team, which will see him in red for the foreseeable seasons. The news came amid a rough patch in Leclerc's 2026 season. 

During his recent appearance on the 'Beyond the Grid' podcast, Charles Leclerc spoke about what made him stay with the Italian outfit despite all the challenges. 

"I believe in the project, I believe in every single person of the team," Leclerc said while talking on the 'Beyond the Grid' podcast. "I think we are in a year where we've been showing innovation. We are very aggressive also in the production plan and in the upgrades we are bringing. That gives me lots of hopes for the future."

The No. 16 driver has been with Ferrari since joining their driver academy in 2016, before making his full-time debut with the team in 2019. Besides this, he pointed to another key figure who has kept him in the team, and that is Fred Vasseur. 

“Fred is a big reason why I have signed again as well. I believe in Fred 200 percent. We've known each other for many years now and to be able to work with him in the team I've always loved is a privilege."

With his future secured, Leclerc's focus now turns to helping Ferrari close the gap on Mercedes for the rest of the season. 

Charles Leclerc weighs in on Ferrari catching up to Mercedes 

Currently, the Italian team sits in second place in the Constructors' Championship with an 87-point deficit to Mercedes, who are leading the championship. 

While talking about the remainder of the season in the aforementioned podcast, Leclerc was questioned about the team catching up to the Silver Arrows, and he gave his honest verdict on the same. 

"I'm very much focused race by race and not really thinking about the long-term picture about if we've got a real shot with that championship. But surely until it's not finished, I'll keep believing in it and we'll see how it goes."

He further expressed that if they did win the championship, it would fulfil his dream. 

"The championship is something that I will dream of ticking off one day, particularly with the red team, this has been a dream of mine since many years. I feel we are getting closer. When will that be? I don’t know, I hope as early as it can be." 

Whether or not Ferrari manages to close that gap this season, Charles Leclerc's commitment to the team makes clear his ambitions lie in Maranello for the long haul. 

Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco