Charles Leclerc and Fred Vasseur in alarming clash over Ferrari contract update

Charles Leclerc and Ferrari continue to struggle to get on the same page, with the driver claiming initial talks over a new contract have begun, yet team boss Fred Vasseur says they have not.

A driver known to be as self-critical as they come, Leclerc has this season brought about a shift in mentality whereby instead of striving to point the finger at himself, now he is starting to direct criticism at his team as Ferrari endure a highly disappointing start to the F1 2023 campaign.

The latest flashpoint came at the Canadian Grand Prix when Leclerc made his frustrations clear over a fresh Ferrari strategy botch, one which led to Leclerc’s elimination in Q2, and an internal apology from the driver after the ordeal was discussed.

Charles Leclerc claims Ferrari contract talks underway

The seemingly mounting tension between team and driver has led to speculation that Leclerc could leave Ferrari, with Aston Martin mentioned as a possible destination by 1996 World Champion Damon Hill and Ralf Schumacher.

奔驰的老板托托沃尔夫说他也保持a close eye on Leclerc for their long-term driver options, Leclerc’s current Ferrari deal running until the end of 2024.

Leclerc’s update ahead of the Austrian Grand Prix suggested though that he will be staying with the Scuderia, having claimed that talks are “slowly” moving into action with Ferrari over a new contract, the team that he “loves”.

“We’re starting slowly to speak about it, yes,” said Leclerc, as perSky F1.

“To be honest, it’s not really on my mind yet. When I say we slowly started talking about it, it’s just here and there, but nothing special, nothing specific.

“I love Ferrari, so I’m happy here.”

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Fred Vasseur says Charles Leclerc Ferrari talks on hold

But, while Leclerc claims that the very early foundations are being addressed over a new Ferrari deal, team boss Vasseur said he has made it clear to the managers of Leclerc and team-mate Carlos Sainz, who also is contracted until the end of 2024, that talks over new deals are not currently on the table.

Instead, “during the summer” is the earliest he says either driver should expect such discussions to begin.

Asked why contract talks with Sainz have not started despite his desire to stay, Vasseur toldCorriere della Sera: “There are 18 months to go, the same goes for Charles. At this moment introducing the renewal topic would be a distraction, I told their managers a couple of weeks ago.

“The priority is for the drivers to work together to develop the car. Then during the summer, or afterwards, we will start talking about it.”

Ferrari return to the scene of their most recent Formula 1 victory this weekend, with Leclerc being tipped by the likes of Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko as a dark horse to make it back-to-back wins at the Red Bull Ring.

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