Charles Leclerc ‘put exit clause’ in Ferrari contract after Lewis Hamilton conversation
Charles Leclerc ‘put exit clause’ in Ferrari contract after Lewis Hamilton conversation
Charles Leclerc will team up with Lewis Hamilton in 2025 in what promises to be one of the most exciting driver pairings in modern F1 history.
Charles Leclerc is relishing the challenge of going up against Lewis Hamilton (Image: Getty)
Charles Leclerc was reportedly informed of Ferrari’s interest in signing Lewis Hamilton by John Elkann and Fred Vasseur before talks got underway regarding his new contract, which was announced in January. The new deal will keep the Monegasque driver with the team until the end of the 2028 season, but he does have an exit clause among the terms.
Leclerc’s new deal was announced in January, and most expected the news of Carlos Sainz’s renewal to follow in due course. However, on the first day of February, the Scuderia sent the motorsport world into chaos, confirming the signing of Hamilton for the 2025 season and beyond.
As per a report from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Leclerc was made aware of the plans to recruit Hamilton before signing on – and subsequently decided to include an ‘exit clause’. The same publication claims he viewed Hamilton’s arrival at Maranello as a major source of inspiration to improve his performance level. This is also an opportunity to increase his stature in the paddock should he beat the seven-time world champion.
Like Hamilton, the 25-year-old has a clause that will allow him to exit his contract in 2026, should development not go to plan. However, Leclerc also has faith that Hamilton’s presence at Maranello will help to bolster Ferrari’s development moving into the new technical regulation period, given the 39-year-old’s vast experience working in World Championship-winning teams.
