01 May 2023 , 16:40
955
0
Frederic Vasseur dismissed speculation linking Charles Leclerc with a move to Mercedes as "bulls***", following the Monegasque's own denial of the rumours.
Leclerc's Ferrari contract expires at the end of next season, and new team boss Vasseur has already made it clear that renewal talks are not a priority at the moment. This, coupled with the Scuderia's on-track struggles, has led to plenty of discussion over his future.
The team he has been most strongly linked with is Mercedes. The future of Lewis Hamilton will play a key role in that but, if the seven-time world champion decides to retire or leave for another team, Leclerc is seen as the the most likely candidate to replace him.
Prominent Italian journalist Leo Turrini event went as far as to claim that it is an "open secret" in the paddock that Leclerc has held talks with Mercedes as the Silver Arrows assess their options. But the driver denied that when quizzed about it in Baku at the weekend.
"You all smile because you don't believe me, but I promise," he told reporters after insisting there was "zero truth" in the claim. He added: "For now, I am fully focused on the project I am in today, which is Ferrari, and I fully trust and am confident for the future. Then we will see, but I am fully confident for the project of Ferrari."
Sebastian Vettel warns of looming F1 ban and is "very worried about the future"
Mercedes chief Toto Wolff also denied that he had held such talks with Leclerc, while Hamilton simply said he was not interested in the speculation. And Ferrari chief Vasseur was singing from the same hymn sheet as his driver – albeit a little more bluntly.
Frederic Vasseur denied rumours that Charles Leclerc could leave Ferrari (Getty Images)"The rumours about Charles and Mercedes are bulls***," said the Frenchman. "Charles said he loves Ferrari and wants to win with Ferrari. We are at the beginning of the season, where there is much gossip we will hear every weekend, but we are not worried."
Leclerc bounced back from his Australia DNF with pole positions in qualifying for both the Sprint and the main Grand Prix in Azerbaijan. He could not convert either of them into a victory with the race pace of the Red Bulls too strong, but still managed his first podium of the season.
Team-mate Carlos Sainz had a more difficult weekend but still contributed to Ferrari's best points haul of the season so far from a single weekend. But the Scuderia remains fourth in the constructors' championship and seemingly already out of the title battle, with leaders Red Bull 118 points ahead.