Leclerc signs long-term Ferrari deal as Antonelli emerges as championship favourite

Charles Leclerc has committed his future to Ferrari with a new long-term agreement, the Italian team announced this week. The deal comes as the Monaco Grand Prix — held on the streets of the principality where Ferrari has dominated in recent years — approaches this weekend. According to the BBC, Leclerc's contract extension signals Ferrari's confidence in the Monégasque driver as the cornerstone of the team's championship campaign.

The timing of the announcement is strategic. Monaco has historically favoured Ferrari's technical approach, and the circuit's tight confines reward precision and car stability — attributes Leclerc has demonstrated consistently. The BBC reported that Lewis Hamilton set the pace in Friday practice, with Ferrari dominating the session, suggesting the Italian team remains competitive despite the contract negotiations.

However, the championship narrative has shifted. George Russell, Hamilton's Mercedes team-mate, told the BBC that Kimi Antonelli — the young Italian driver in the Mercedes seat — has the title "to lose" following Russell's retirement from the Canadian Grand Prix. Antonelli's emergence as the favourite represents a significant development in the 2026 season, with the Italian driver leading the championship standings.