Formula 1: Could Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari deal be for 2020?
By Asher Fair
If Charles Leclerc has indeed signed a contract to replace Kimi Raikkonen at Ferrari, could this deal be for the 2020 Formula 1 season?
Recent rumors suggest that Alfa Romeo Sauber rookie Charles Leclerc has signed a contract to replace 2007 Formula 1 champion Kimi Raikkonen at Scuderia Ferrari. However, these aren’t the first rumors — unconfirmed rumors — to suggest something along these lines pertaining to this situation over the past few months.
In June, it was revealed that Ferrari were ready to sign Leclerc as Raikkonen’s replacement, and shortly thereafter, it was revealed that the Italian team and the Ferrari junior driver had agreed on a contract.
But following the death of former Ferrari CEO Sergio Marchionne, who was a huge fan of the 20-year-old Monegasque and wanted him to replace the 38-year-old Finn as soon as possible, it was rumored that Raikkonen would sign a two-year contract extension to continue driving for the Scuderia.
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Now after Ferrari’s home race, the Italian Grand Prix, these rumors have gone back to suggesting that Leclerc, not Raikkonen, will be the teammate to four-time Formula 1 champion Sebastian Vettel next year.
The bottom line is that Ferrari have yet to confirm that the 20-year-old Monegasque will replace the 38-year-old Finn starting in the 2019 season, nor have they confirmed that they will be bringing back the 20-time Grand Prix winner for what would be his 17th season in Formula 1, ninth overall season driving for the team and sixth consecutive season driving for the team.
Because of this, more speculation has occurred, and the pendulum has swung back in the opposite direction once again.
Is there a chance that Leclerc has, in fact, signed a contract with Ferrari but that this contract does not start until the 2020 season?
This is the latest rumor.
While this rumor, like the many other rumors regarding this situation that have emerged over the last few months, has not been confirmed, it would certainly make sense. The 2016 GP3 Series and 2017 Formula 2 champion has been impressive in his rookie season driving for Sauber, but another season driving for the Swiss team would not do him harm.
While it would make perfect sense for Ferrari to hire Leclerc as Raikkonen’s replacement, it would also make sense for them not to rush him seeing as how many people believe that he will be a future Formula 1 champion.
Will Ferrari confirm that they have signed Charles Leclerc to replace Kimi Raikkonen like many news outlets are speculating that they have? If so, will it be announced that Leclerc will replace Raikkonen beginning next year, or will it be announced that he will not do so until the 2020 Formula 1 season?