#both sources (gazzetta and the f1 journo who was on the ground in AD) implied that the announcement(s) will be made sooner rather than late

[leqclerc]

About the Charles contract lenght it's la gazzetta i wouldn't believe a word from that paper even if confirmed by charles himself (also a decade charles you're sick in the head idk if affectionate or derogatory)

Okay so valid actually 😭😭😭 They flip flop on him so hard as well, like now the headline is The Investiture of the Little Prince but I'm pretty sure they were running a narrative just a few months back about how he can't get it together and actually Sainz is the superior driver. So yeah, I agree, caution is advised when it comes to La Gazzetta.

But 2029 isn't that far off 2028, which I think is the duration we've most recently settled on as being credible enough as per paddock rumours. And it does seem just insane enough to be on brand for Charles (marks 10 years since he first joined the team in 2019. Also, holy fuck at the cruel and relentless passing of time in general.)

So far I don't think anyone's confirmed to stay on in their current seat for longer than 2028, and the only one that's 100% confirmed until then is Max. So if Charles's extension were to also run until the end of 2028, that would possibly leave him some room to initiate talks with Red Bull (should Max leave, should Ferrari not live up to his expectations, should Red Bull still be interested in him by then—a lot can change in 5 years after all.)

Whether it's 2028 or 2029 or whatever I still hope there's an option in there somewhere, and that it's not just one non-negotiable chunk of a long-term deal. Again, I'm sure he knows a lot more than we do out here where we can only really speculate, and that he has more insider information that maybe allows him to have a broader view of the team's future, which is possibly what's enticing him into signing on for the longer term. But yeah I hope he still leaves himself some kind of leverage or negotiating power or clause to give him that security so he's not completely hung out to dry if things don't go the way he envisioned. Cause unfortunately we've seen that play out time and time again, and even champions aren't 'safe' from that worst scenario fate. Then again there's only so much we can do as fans and enthusiasts—he's a big boy and can and will make his own decisions (with help and support and advice from his management and those closest to him no doubt) and ultimately he's the one who will have to see them through, whether that's to his benefit or his detriment.