Charles Leclerc: I extended with Ferrari because I believe in Fred Vasseur

The Monegasque arrived in Monaco this week fresh from confirming a contract extension that will keep him at Ferrari until at least the end of 2029. It ends speculation about his future and underlines his commitment to the team he joined as a Ferrari Academy driver a decade ago.

For Leclerc, the decision was about more than loyalty. It was about trust in the people leading Ferrari's future.

Speaking  to F1.com's Lawrence Barretto during an exclusive interview atop Ferrari's motorhome overlooking Monaco harbour, Leclerc explained: "I think Fred [Vasseur, Team Principal] is a big part of it.

"And the people in the team. I believe in Fred, who has done an incredible job and he is really pushing everyone in the team to try and make sure that Ferrari comes back on top. For those reasons, both obviously the very clear love I have for the team, we decided to continue together.

"We've done a really good job this year innovating and thinking outside the box and we've seen many new systems on the car that maybe other teams are now trying to look at.

"We've got a very strong chassis, it's clear that we have a weakness in terms of power unit at the moment compared to our competitors and this is something that is clear and that we are working on.

"But I think just how much the team is pushing, the vision of Fred that he is sharing with me very often and very regularly, and I'm fully onboard with the project. I believe that this is my best chance to become a Formula 1 World Champion," said Leclerc.

The contract announcement arrived after what Leclerc described as one of the toughest weekends of his Formula 1 career in Canada.

The Ferrari driver struggled throughout the Montreal weekend. He never found comfort with the car, failed to get the tyres into the ideal operating window, and could not build confidence under braking. Meanwhile, teammate Lewis Hamilton enjoyed one of his strongest performances of the season on his way to second place.

Leclerc, however, is convinced Canada was an exception rather than a sign of deeper problems: "Honestly, Australia, China and Montreal are the three tracks during the season where I'm struggling and this is mostly because of my driving style. I know exactly what I need to work on and at the same time, for Montreal especially, probably the strongest track for Lewis.

"I mean, Lewis is extremely strong everywhere but in Montreal he had an exceptional weekend and I was just struggling and it was very difficult for me to find the references. When the weekend starts like that, especially on a Sprint weekend, it's very difficult to take your marks again.

"But surely there are things I'm working on to try and improve on those tracks, it's working well on other tracks but on these three, I struggle a bit more," explained Leclerc, for whom that difficult weekend now gives way to a his home race where he traditionally excels.

The Ferrari star claimed an emotional home victory in Monaco in 2024 and was again a contender for victory last season before finishing second. Few drivers know the streets of Monte Carlo better and none carry greater local expectation.

Mercedes arrive in Monaco with a perfect winning record in 2026, but many in the paddock believe Ferrari could finally end that run this weekend.

Leclerc accepts Mercedes remain favourites, yet he believes Monaco offers Ferrari its best opportunity so far this season because the team's power unit deficit is less significant around the tight and twisty street circuit.

"I think if there's one track I would bet on ourselves, it would be Monaco more than any other track just because we've got a disadvantage in terms of engine which I think we will pay the price for less here. I still believe Mercedes is the favourite but I think we'll be probably closer I hope," he said.

With a long-term Ferrari future secured, complete confidence in Vasseur's leadership and a circuit he knows better than anyone, Leclerc heads into his home race believing Monaco could provide the perfect stage to revive Ferrari's season.