Ferrari

CHARLES LECLERC has signed a contract extension with Ferrari worth around £28million a season.The 26-year-old’s current deal was due to expire at the end of this year but Ferrari have signed him up to a new one, believed to run until the end of 2026.
Charles Leclerc has signed a new deal with FerrariCredit: Getty
Leclerc came through the Scuderia’s driver academyCredit: X/ScuderiaFerrari
Leclerc’s deal is believed to run until 2026Credit: X/ScuderiaFerrari
Leclerc joined Ferrari in 2016 and came through the Italian team’s academy before making his debut for F1’s most famous brand in 2019.
The Monaco-born racer has taken 30 podiums for Ferrari in 103 races, winning five times.
He said: “I’m very pleased to know that I will be wearing the Scuderia Ferrari race suit for several more seasons to come.
“To race for this team has been my dream since I was three years old: I used to watch the Monaco Grand Prix from the window of a friend’s apartment and I would always look out for the red cars.
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“This team is my second family ever since I joined the Ferrari Driver Academy in 2016 and we have achieved a lot together, fighting through thick and thin over the past five years.
“However, I believe the best is yet to come and I can’t wait for this season to start, to make further progress and be competitive at every race.
“My dream remains that of winning the world championship with Ferrari and I’m sure that in the years ahead, we will enjoy great times together and make our fans happy.”
Leclerc finished fifth in the drivers’ championship last season but ended the campaign without a win as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen dominated with 19 victories in 22.
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Ferrari have acted quickly ahead of the new season to kill off any potential interest in Leclerc from Mercedes or Red Bull, who are assessing the futures of Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez respectively.
Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur added: “Charles’ bond to the Scuderia goes beyond that of just a driver and a team.
“His values and those of our team are intertwined and so it was natural for us to be in agreement on extending our collaboration.
“We know him for his incessant desire to push himself to the limit and we appreciate his extraordinary abilities when it comes to fighting and overtaking in a race.
“We are determined to give Charles a winning car and I know that his determination and commitment are elements that can make the difference in helping us reach our goals.”
Ferrari, who will launch their 2024 F1 car on February 13th, will now turn their attention to signing Leclerc’s team-mate, Carlos Sainz, to a new deal until 2026.

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Leclerc has taken 30 podiums in 103 races at FerrariCredit: X/ScuderiaFerrari
He has won five races with the iconic constructorCredit: X/ScuderiaFerrari
Leclerc said he believed the ‘best is yet to come’Credit: X/ScuderiaFerrari More

MICHAEL Schumacher’s ex-Ferrari rival Rubens Barrichello revealed the time he was denied a visit to the F1 legend after his fateful accident.December 29 marked a full decade since the seven-time world champion crashed while skiing in Meribel, France, later staying 250 days in a medically-induced coma.
Rubens Barrichello, left, was once denied a visit to Michael Schumacher after his skiing accidentCredit: Reuters
The pair raced together at Ferrari between 2000 and 2005Credit: EPA

Speaking to Flow Podcast in his native Brazil, Barrichello said he tried visiting his former teammate after his accident, but was declined after getting a call from Schuey’s team.
“With Schumacher, I called once and said I wanted to visit him,” he revealed.
“They told me that unfortunately I wouldn’t be helping and that I might be sad.
“So I understood that at that moment it was not the time to enter [his life].
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“I’ve met his family another thousand times and I always give them all my love.”
Barrichello and Schumacher had a complex and significant relationship when racing at Ferrari from 2000 to 2005.
Schumacher, a seven-time World Champion, was the team’s leading driver, while Barrichello, a talented Brazilian driver, was known for playing a supporting role within the Scuderia.
Their rivalry was notable for instances where team orders were imposed by Ferrari, favoring Schumacher over Barrichello.
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This led to several controversial moments in Formula One, including instances where Barrichello had to cede positions to Schumacher, particularly in races where Barrichello was seemingly faster.
Barrichello, however, appeared to tear up when remembering the time he led a prayer for Schuey before his son questioned him about the pair’s rivalry at Ferrari.
“I was in California for New Year’s,” Barrichello recalled.
“It was midnight and it was just the four of us [with his wife and children].
“And it was that thing we have in Brazil, it’s midnight on New Year’s Eve, let’s be together.
“And then I said ‘I would like to lead an Our Father prayer for Schumacher.’
“But my son Dudu turned to me and asked ‘Why? He never did you any good.’
“That was the moment I had to explain to him that a lot of what he heard was not coming from his father, but just toxic gossip [about their rivalry].”
After his tragic ski accident, it’s understood that Schumacher’s friendship group has been trimmed down as his family continue to keep his health a secret and his inner circle small.
Since 2013, his wife Corinna has been creating a private world around Michael as he continues his recovery – including forming a tight knit group of people allowed to see the great man and those who can’t.
Corinna has cut out certain people for a plethora or reasons including keeping the families privacy a priority and for the sake of Schuey.
Michael’s wife – who he described as his “guardian angel” – has done her best to keep their life private including reportedly slimming down his £500m business empire and selling prized assets such as his private jet and Norwegian home.
She has even converted part of their £50million home into a hospital where 15 doctors and a team of masseurs give him 24-hour care and the surrounding forest and security fences kept him away from anyone not welcome.
The fellow ex-Ferrari driver and teammate Felipe Massa was one of the few lucky ones to have visited Schumacher after his accident in Meribel.
“I saw him,” Massa told Brazilian podcast Fala Galvao.
“But I think we always have to respect Corinna’s decision.”
When asked if Schumacher’s situation was in any way reversible, Massa replied: “I think if there was something [positive/ a solution], we would have known by now.”
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But the Brazilian star remains hopeful and says he constantly prays for his friend’s full recovery.
“But I’m always cheering and praying that maybe one day he’ll be back here, watching [Formula 1] or entering a race track, which is where I’ve always been with him.”
Despite a fierce rivalry as teammates, Barrichello and Schuey had a friendly relationship off the racetrackCredit: AFP
Barrichello spoke to Brazilian podcasts about his friendship with the German racing legendCredit: AP More

SCHUMACHER’s best pal Felipe Massa has said he is praying for his friend’s full recovery after visiting him following his tragic ski crash.Today marks a full decade since Michael fell and struck a rock so hard it split his ski helmet in two – leaving him in a coma for 250 days.
Felipe Massa (left) and Michael Schumacher were teammates at Scuderia FerrariCredit: Reuters
Massa, 42, was considered a younger brother to Schumacher, and constantly prays for his friend’s full recoveryCredit: Reuters

Schuey has since been living alongside his wife Corinna at their Lake Geneva home under the care of a team of 15 doctors.
The F1 legend’s condition has been kept under lock and key, leaving fans and motorsport enthusiasts wondering about his health.
But ex-Ferrari driver Felipe Massa, 42, was one of the few lucky ones to have visited Schumacher after his accident in Meribel, France.
Regarded by the Schumacher family as Michael’s younger brother, Massa gave little information on Schuey’s condition as he insists in respecting the family’s privacy.
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“I saw him,” Massa told Brazilian podcast Fala Galvao.
“But I think we always have to respect Corinna’s decision.
“Schumacher was like that, always very reserved with his family.
“Even when he was still racing, his children only entered the racetrack when the race started, so as not to have the press on them.”
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When asked if Schumacher’s situation was in any way reversible, Massa replied: “I think if there was something [positive/ a solution], we would have known by now.”
But the Brazilian star remains hopeful and says he constantly prays for his friend’s full recovery.
“But I’m always cheering and praying that maybe one day he’ll be back here, watching [Formula 1] or entering a race track, which is where I’ve always been with him.”
The latest news comes after former F1 ace and pal of Schuey – Timo Glock – spoke about what life could’ve been like had the icon of Motorsports never been in the accident.
The 41-year-old German fantasised over what he thinks Schumacher might be up to today if he was able to recover fully and regain his drive and determination for success.
Timo Glock said: “He would always have been around the F1 paddock but whether he would have been a pundit, I don’t know.
“He would not have been the F1 expert in front of the cameras. Yes, he would have done interviews but I think he would have worked for the sport he lived for.”
But Timo feels like his quest for glory would’ve made him want to continue and win more championships but as a team principle.
He continued: “Maybe not in the first part of his retirement, maybe later on. But he would definitely have been a good person in that position because he knows exactly what it needs.”
Other successful drivers have also turned into team bosses such as Alain Prost and Sir Jackie Stewart.
The driver also said he “never thought it would be that tragic” a decade on from the horror ski crash.
Timo spoke to BettingSites.co.uk about how he first heard about the news and how he never imagined it would cause so much long-term pain to Michael.
“We were playing cards and we heard about it on the news. It was a huge shock. You never thought it would be that tragic.
“With Michael normally you would say he stands up and walks away. But sometimes things can be tragic.”
Schumacher has also reportedly been back in the seat of a Mercedes car to help with his recovery.
The F1 legend has been driven around in sporty AMG Merc to help stimulate his brain with familiar sounds of race cars.
German publication BILD broke the heartwarming news about the ex-Mercedes driver being given regular trips in their cars as part of his treatment.
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The purpose of the trips was to stimulate his brain with familiar sounds of race cars and the roar of a Mercedes AMG engine.
The seven time world champion dominated motorsport in a decade of dominance between 1994 and 2004 when he won titles with both Ferrari and Benetton.
Felipe was one of the few lucky F1 stars to visit Schuey after the fateful 2013 ski crashCredit: EPA More

FORMULA 1’s boss has revealed he wouldn’t wish Michael Schumacher’s condition on his “worst enemy” as his situation remains “difficult”.The seven-time world champion’s health is kept under lock and key by his family and few people have had access to the Ferrari legend, since his skiing accident in the French Alps nearly 10 years ago.
Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali, pictured right during his time at Ferrari, revealed more updates on Michael Schumacher’s current health stateCredit: Getty
The ex-Ferrari team manager said he wouldn’t wish Schuey’s situation on his ‘worst enemy’Credit: Getty
December 29 will mark a decade since Michael’s devastating ski accident in the French Alps, which left him in a coma for more than 200 daysCredit: Reuters
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali used to work with Schumacher, now 54, at Ferrari and gave a heartbreaking update.
“It seems like yesterday his accident in Meribel, they are episodes that change your life,” he told La Gazetta dello Sport.
“Out of respect for him and his family we must stay close to him, this difficult situation remains.
“What is between me and the family remains private, but living like this for ten years is something you would never wish even on your worst enemy.”
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Domenicali’s update came shortly after Schuey’s racing pal Timo Glock admitted the F1 legend’s injuries are “still hard to accept” 10 years on from his devastating accident.
“It doesn’t matter about the tenth anniversary,” he told MegaDice.com.
“Every year when that date comes up everyone gets reminded and thinks about it and what would be if things had gone differently a more positive way.
“That is life but it is hard to accept because he is such a legend for the sport and for sure, for the family, it is not an easy time.”
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He added: “I have a lot of respect for the family and I am not a fan of speculating if you don’t know what is going on in the background.
“How they deal with it is something we can only respect and accept it how it is.”
Timo revealed is still in “very good contact” with the Schumacher family and the legend’s son, Mick.
“I met him a lot of times during the season at Grand Prix weekends discussing his future and he was asking me what I would recommend,” he said.
“I would never be the person to ask anything personal about his father.”
Timo Glock had previously said Schumacher’s health condition must be kept private.
His update comes after Schuey’s ex-manager said he has no “hope” of seeing the F1 legend again.
Willi Weber revealed that he had received “no positive news” after allegedly being shut out of the racing star’s life for the last 10 years.
The long-term manager of the seven-time F1 champion, Weber, 81, has now opened up about how never believes he will see his former protégé again.
He told the Cologne Express: “When I think of Michael now, unfortunately I don’t have anymore hope that I will see him again.
“No positive news after ten years.”
He also recalled how gutted he felt about not being able to see Schumacher immediately after the accident.
“Of course, I regret that very much and blame myself. I should have visited Michael in the hospital. I mourned like a dog after his accident.”
After three or four years of allegedly being shut out of Schumacher’s life, Weber said: “For me it was clear: ‘Well, now it’s over. This crap needs to get out of my head'”.
Back in 2017, Weber extraordinarily accused the racing legend’s family of not being honest to the public about the Schumacher’s condition.
 “I find it very unfortunate that Michael’s fans do not know about his health.
“Why are they not being told the truth?”
And in July last year, Weber once again made headlines by demanding that the Schumacher family come out with the truth about his health.
He said he was still “angry” that he had not been kept informed once since the F1 legend’s ski accident.
He told Italian sports publication Gazetta dello Sport: “I tried hundreds of times to contact Corinna and she didn’t answer.
“I called Jean Todt to ask him if I should go to the hospital and he told me to wait – it’s too early.
“They kept me out, telling me it’s too early, well now it’s too late. It’s been nine years. Maybe they should just say it the way it is.”
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Weber has been credited with discovering Schumacher in 1989 when he signed him up to his F3 team.
He has previously said that the racing great was “like a son to me”.
The Formula One legend’s health condition is been kept under lock and key by his family, including his wife Corinna, picturedCredit: Alamy More