Leclerc committed to Ferrari despite contract delay

Committed to Maranello despite interest

Charles Leclerc has affirmed his steadfast commitment to fighting for a long-term future with Ferrari in Formula 1, even as potentially enticing options materialize elsewhere on the grid.

The Monegasque driver's current Ferrari contract expires after 2024. With no extension underway yet, speculation simmered about rival top teams like Mercedes, Aston Martin or Red Bull attempting to poach Leclerc in 2025.

However, Leclerc remains laser-focused on fulfilling his ultimate dream - becoming world champion with the Scuderia.

"My first target and my first dream is to become a world champion with Ferrari, more than anything else," Leclerc stated unequivocally in an exclusive interview with Motorsport Italy.

"So, if there's a slight opportunity for it to happen, I will have no doubt about pushing to stay here at least."

2022 difficulties no deterrent for future

Leclerc acknowledged Ferrari's frustrating 2022 campaign where world title ambitions evaporated. But he insisted past difficulties aren't deterrents for future success.

"I love Ferrari. It feels like home to me," Leclerc emphasized. "I cannot say much more because there has been no discussion whatsoever apart from a few jokes here and there."

No rush on contract talks

Contract talks weren't an immediate priority for team or driver. Leclerc understands Ferrari is concentrated on engineering performance gains first and foremost.

"I just think it is not probably the priority at the moment: not for me, but neither for the team," he said. "We are just focusing on what's really important now."

"It is to be as competitive as quickly as possible again. And then we'll see. But again, I love Ferrari and it feels like home."

2023 goals: solidly second-best

For 2023, Leclerc feels catching dominant Red Bull is unrealistic. But he believes Ferrari can solidly assert itself as the second-best team ahead of chief rivals Mercedes, McLaren and Aston Martin.

"I think the realistic target, at least [the one] we want to fix ourselves, is to be the strongest team after Red Bull and to close the gap to Red Bull," he said.

"Then, for 2024, there are no doubts that in everybody's mind the target is to be back on top and fighting Red Bull."

"I believe realistically, and this is only my opinion, that before the end of the year, we won't be able to catch Red Bull."

"But the target will be at least to be in front of McLaren, Mercedes, and Aston Martin. This will be our target."