Insight: Ferrari locks down Charles Leclerc, so what now?

Five-year deals are not commonplace in Formula 1, albeit with the usual caveat that there will likely be clauses on both sides, for Ferrari’s last five-year contract was with Fernando Alonso. They split after the third of those five years, in 2014. Nonetheless Lewis Hamilton had one with McLaren, ditto Daniel Ricciardo with Red Bull, as well as Valtteri Bottas with Williams. Most Formula 1 contracts are one-plus-ones. This ties down one of the most promising youngsters with Formula 1’s most fabled – albeit stuttering – operations until the middle of the new decade. Leclerc became one of Ferrari’s youngest racers when he stepped up for 2019 and his performances earmarked him out as the team’s future prospect, fully justifying the team’s faith in his ability. Leclerc’s previous contract ran through 2022 but this one now runs through 2024, giving him that additional element of stability and a heftier bank balance to boot. In just three years he has gone from a rising star of Ferrari’s Academy to its anointed future champion. Ferrari could have waited months, or even another year, before renewing with Leclerc until as long as 2024. That it didn’t, and has started the gun already, creates an inevitable talking point or two…

Vettel’s contract expires at the end of the 2020 season

What now for Vettel?

Sebastian Vettel is entering the final year of his second contract with Ferrari, having signed on for three years in 2015, renewing for the same period mid-2017. At that stage Vettel was one of Formula 1’s most lucrative drivers and led the championship amid Ferrari’s revival under revised aerodynamic regulations. But that title bid collapsed and his 2018 challenge also faltered – with a substantial number of self-inflicted setbacks – while his 2019 tilt never got going. Through the course of last season the balance of power shifted. Vettel scored fewer wins, fewer poles and fewer points than Leclerc. It does not mean he is a spent force. The SF90 did not suit Vettel and its development migrated further away from his natural style, though the prosecution would correctly argue that an inability to adapt contrasted with Leclerc’s greater flexibility. Vettel insists he remains motivated to deliver a title to Ferrari and is steadfast in his own belief that he can be that person. The early events of 2020 will be critical for both parties, with Ferrari expecting to sit down with Vettel in May, but this is no longer Vettel’s team. If they don’t renew through 2021 then Ferrari has alternatives.

The blockbuster option

Would it happen? Could it happen? The notion of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen together at Mercedes has been sought after by fans, but what about ostensibly the second-best option? Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at Ferrari? In Abu Dhabi, and in the few press conferences held since, a merry-go-round of Hamilton, Toto Wolff and Ferrari chiefs have not dismissed the chances of a Hamilton/Ferrari partnership from 2021. It suits all parties to keep the option open, gives them leverage elsewhere, and also keeps Formula 1 in the spotlight. In reality Leclerc extending through 2024 changes little here. He was always going to stay until 2022, meaning that any Hamilton-Ferrari deal would have resulted in a Leclerc pairing at Vettel’s expense. Hamilton in red remains a tantalising prospect and neither side has dismissed it as a possibility just yet. But it is still highly unlikely.

Could Giovinazzi be the ‘Massa option’?

Maybe a safe pair of hands?

What of the other choices on the grid? There is one abundant stand-out from a crop of midfielders: Daniel Ricciardo. The Australian has Italian heritage and has spoken fondly of Ferrari, albeit without upsetting his current or any potential future employers. Ricciardo was linked mid-2018 but speculative talks never developed into anything serious as he plumped for pastures new at Renault. That project has so far had more than a few bumps and he is one of many without a 2021 contract. Ricciardo remains highly marketable and the 2019 campaign has not dented his reputation, though in leaving Red Bull he wanted a fresh start – and a new project – away from a team being groomed around a youngster. Going to Ferrari may be a case of out of the frying pan into the fryer. The even safer pair of hands would be Antonio Giovinazzi. He did not set the world alight in 2019 but the apolitical Italian steadily improved and has a shot in 2020 to underline his value. The Alfa Romeo racer has been with Ferrari since 2017, is well respected for his simulator work, and would not upset the apple cart alongside Leclerc. In many regards he is treading a similar path to Felipe Massa: a loyal servant whose ultimate ability was questioned.

Keeping track of the next ‘next generation’

It has not escaped the attention of Formula 1 observers that Ferrari has created a captivating dynamic in Formula 2. It has paired together the previous two Formula 3 champions in Mick Schumacher and Robert Shwartzman, with Schumacher embarking on his sophomore campaign and Shwartzman poised for his rookie season. The duo were previously team-mates at Prema in 2018 but for next year the pressure will be mounted on account of 2021 hopes. Schumacher’s name brings enormous marketing potential – as witnessed by the frenzy around him early in 2019 amid his Formula 1 outings – but his Formula 2 rookie season flattered to deceive. Schumacher cannot lose to Shwartzman in 2020 and still be regarded as a Formula 1 prospect. Ferrari also has 2019 Formula 3 runner-up Marcus Armstrong at the front-running ART Grand Prix squad, Callum Ilott at the crack UNI Virtuosi squad, and Giuliano Alesi at HWA Racelab. Ferrari’s Driver Academy delivered the late Jules Bianchi to Formula 1, followed by his godson Leclerc, and the next generation of its talent line are now on the fringes. A direct promotion from Formula 2 to Ferrari is unthinkable but anyone standout in 2020 will provide food for thought for 2022 anyway.

Bottas has been with Mercedes since 2017

The left-field option

How do you strengthen your own hand while weakening your rival in one swoop? You recruit directly from them. If Ferrari wants a left-field choice, and this is purely speculative, then it could do worse than to consider Valtteri Bottas. It was interested in the Finn for 2016, before ultimately sticking with Kimi Raikkonen, since when Bottas has emerged as a key component of Mercedes’ title-winning team. Prising away Bottas would rob Hamilton of a well-respected team player, force Mercedes into seeking an alternative, while bringing a wealth of information about how Formula 1’s most successful team in history operates. Ferrari would also get a rapid driver who is still continually evolving and improving but whose apolitical nature would surely allow Leclerc to keep flourishing, while still keeping the Monegasque on his toes, delivering a lesson or two along the way.

Source: Motorsport Week